MISS Universe 2018 Catriona Gray may have been "misinformed of the facts" surrounding the proposal to lower the minimum age of criminal liability," MalacaƱang said on Thursday, February 21.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said there is a need to educate Gray on the issue after she said government should focus on the reasons that children commit crimes instead of lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility.
Gray is an advocate of children's rights.
Congress is eyeing to lower the minimum age of criminal liability to 12 years old from the current 15 years old.
The House of Representatives has already approved the bill, while the Senate has yet to pass a similar measure.
Panelo said he believed that Gray opposed the idea because the Duterte government's critics are spreading wrong information about the proposed measure.
"She should be educated on the (proposal). Hindi, ang ibig sabihin ng educated (What I mean by educated is that) she may have been misinformed of the facts, given that the opposition to the lowering comes from yung mga dating kritiko ng administrasyon (the administration's critics)," he said in a Palace press briefing.
"'Yung sinasabi niya na focus on the problems, kasama 'yun eh. When you lower the criminal liability kasama 'yun. You're focusing sa nagiging problema kasi that is the problem with minors involved in crimes," the Palace official added.
(When she said focus on the problems, that's part of it. When you lower the criminal liability,that's part of it. You're focusing on the problem because that is the problem with minors involved in crimes.)
Panelo said that while he was "glad" that Gray showed such concern towards young offenders, he guaranteed that the current administration only wants to help children who violate the laws.
He also explained that offenders as young as 12 years old would not be arrested but would undergo rehabilitation.
"Miss Universe, hindi naman ikukulong, iri-rehabilitate nga natin. Kaya tama ka dun. Let's focus on the problem. We are precisely focusing on the problem because the problem is they are engaged in crimes. So what will we do? We will have to rehabilitate them. Learn why they have committed these crimes and then put them back to the society," Panelo said.
(Miss Universe, we'll rehabilitate them and not arrest them). So you're right. Let's focus on the problem. We are precisely focusing on the problem because the problem is they are engaged in crimes. So what will we do? We will have to rehabilitate them. Learn why they have committed these crimes and then put them back to the society.)
"But I'm glad that she mentioned that. It only means that she's also concerned, which every Filipino citizen should have that kind of concern," he added. (SunStar Philippines)