Akbayan Party-list has strongly criticized a bill filed by Senator Robin Padilla that seeks to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 10 years old. The group called out what it perceives as hypocrisy on the part of the senator, who allegedly helped a colleague evade arrest.
Akbayan President Calls Out Padilla's Hypocrisy
In a Facebook post, Akbayan Party-list President Rafaela David said, "Robin wants to jail 10-year-olds, but he helped 64-year-old Bato Dela Rosa, who is accused of being a mass murderer, escape." She added, "Prison for children, but escape for Bato? What kind of thinking is that?"
David questioned the logic behind imprisoning children whose minds are still developing, arguing that such an approach should not be considered rehabilitation. She compared Padilla's own experience with the justice system, noting that he was already an adult when he went to prison. "Did he really change? Didn’t he break the law again by helping Bato escape? How much more for children, whose minds are still developing?" she said.
Context of the Criticism
The criticism refers to Padilla's alleged role in helping Senator Bato dela Rosa evade authorities. Dela Rosa remains wanted by law enforcement. David's remarks highlight what she sees as a double standard in Padilla's legislative priorities.
Akbayan Expresses Sympathy for Tacloban Victims
Despite the strong criticism, David clarified that Akbayan's sympathies remain with the families of the victims of the shooting incident in Tacloban. The group expressed condolences while maintaining its stance against lowering the age of criminal responsibility.
