BB Gandanghari, nag react sa panawagan ni Robin Padilla ukol sa age of criminal liability

• BB Gandanghari explained why she supports Senator Robin Padilla’s proposal to lower the age of criminal liability from 15 to 10
• The actress said she personally witnessed the pain of victims’ families after visiting Tacloban with her brother
• BB also argued that some minors are being exploited by adults because they know children below the age threshold face limited criminal liability
• Her remarks on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” have sparked renewed discussion on the controversial proposal

BB Gandanghari has spoken publicly about her support for Senator Robin Padilla’s proposal to lower the minimum age of criminal liability from 15 to 10 years old, explaining the reasons behind her position during her guest appearance on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda.

During the interview, BB said discussions about juvenile criminal responsibility are not unique to the Philippines, noting that similar debates also take place in the United States.

“Kasi nga unang-una, sa America, ang daming ganiyan. Discussion din ’yan sa America,” she said.

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BB went on to reveal that she personally accompanied her younger brother, Senator Robin Padilla, during a visit to Tacloban, where they met with families affected by a tragic shooting incident.

“And then si Robin, pumunta ulit sa mga biktima and then I went with him sa Tacloban. Nagpunta kami sa burol ng mga bata, nakausap namin ’yung mga magulang, ’yung mga nabaril sa ospital, pinuntahan namin lahat ’yun.”

She said witnessing the grief of the victims’ families firsthand left a lasting impact on her.

“So I saw the pain, I saw ‘yung nagawa ng krimen ng isang 14-year-old na in my mind, parang how can you—it’s a crime.”

BB also referred to what she said they learned while speaking with school officials and local authorities regarding the incident.

“Can you imagine this particular case, ‘yung 14-year-old, marunong kumasa at intentional, base du’n sa pakikipag-usap namin sa principal at nakausap din namin si mayor ng Tacloban, si Mayor Alfred Romualdez, hindi random. Intentional ang mga binaril niya.”

According to BB, the proposal is also intended to discourage minors from committing crimes by making them more aware of possible legal consequences.

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“Para kung ikaw ay 10-year-old to 12 years old o 14 years old, mapapaisip ka.”

She further argued that one of the concerns surrounding the current law is that some adults allegedly exploit children because they know minors below the age threshold receive different treatment under the law.

“Unang-una, ang isang problema diyan, ini-exploit ’yan ng mga taong matatanda na ginagamit itong mga batang ito kasi alam nilang hindi sila makukulong.”

Robin Padilla’s proposal to lower the minimum age of criminal liability has generated widespread public debate, with supporters arguing that it could deter crimes involving minors and address cases where children are allegedly used by criminal groups. Meanwhile, critics have maintained that stronger child protection measures, rehabilitation programs, and interventions addressing poverty and abuse are more appropriate responses than lowering the age of criminal responsibility.

BB Gandanghari is a Filipino-American actress, model, and director who first rose to prominence during the 1990s as Rustom Padilla, one of the country’s most popular leading men and a member of the well-known Padilla showbiz family. After publicly coming out and undergoing her gender transition in 2009, BB began a new chapter of her life in the United States. Through the years, she has also reconciled with her younger brother, actor and Senator Robin Padilla, who now openly recognizes and embraces her as his sister.

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Earlier, BB Gandanghari opened up about her former wife, Carmina Villarroel, during her guest appearance on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda. She shared that Carmina continues to hold a special place in her heart despite the passage of time. BB also fondly recalled how they briefly reconnected when they became neighbors before she eventually relocated to the United States.

Previously, BB Gandanghari extended her condolences and support to the family of the late Ateneo student-athlete Rene Baterbonia. She shared that Senator Robin Padilla encouraged her after learning about the family’s heartbreaking loss. BB also recalled witnessing the parents’ overwhelming grief while attending the wake and visiting the site of the tragic incident, saying she believes the pain of losing a child never truly disappears but instead becomes something parents learn to carry throughout their lives.

Source: KAMI.com.gh