JE C.C.
Senator-elect Kiko Pangilinan recently addressed a netizen’s accusation regarding the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 (RA 9344), which he authored, following the emotional retelling of the Maguad family murder case on Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK).
The episode, which aired recently, reignited public discourse on juvenile offenders, with some netizens blaming the law for perceived leniency toward minors involved in heinous crimes. One user, identified as Monski Cort, directly appealed to Pangilinan, stating, “Sir kiko pls amend RA 9344 Juvenile Law.. put those minors in conflict with the law in a separate prison cells of BJMP to serve their sentence. Pls re consider what happen to the maguad siblings they were brutally murdered by minors pls repeal the law.”
In a firm rebuttal, Pangilinan clarified the facts, responding, “Monski Cort please be informed that the law has been amended in 2013. In addition, it appears you are unaware that the killers in the Maguad case, despite being minors, were tried and convicted under the law you say should me amended and are now in prison serving life sentences. Please do not be swayed by fake news and do not spread fake news.”
The 2013 amendment lowered the age of criminal responsibility for certain cases while maintaining a focus on rehabilitation for minors. The Maguad siblings, brutally murdered in their Cotobato home in 2021, became a focal point for public outcry, often fueling misinformation about the law’s effectiveness.
Pangilinan’s response highlights the dangers of misinformation, particularly in emotionally charged cases like the Maguad murders. The MMK episode, while raising awareness, also sparked widespread reactions online, with some netizens mistakenly believing the juvenile offenders faced no consequences.
Pangilinan’s call for accuracy underscores the need for a balanced approach to juvenile justice, addressing both accountability and rehabilitation.
