SEVERAL lawmakers on Wednesday joined the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) to support the speakership of comebacking Rep. Pantaleon D. Alvarez of Davao del Norte and presumptive President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
Among the latest to pledge support and take oath as PDP-Laban members are Visayan bloc leader and Negros Occidental Rep. Alfred Benitez, Majority Leader and Rep. Ronaldo Zamora of San Juan City and incoming Reps. Khalid Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte, Ruby Sahali of Tawi-Tawi, Horacio Suansing of Sultan Kudarat, Mauyag Papandayan of Lanao del Sur and Rogelio Pacquiao of General Santos, reelected Rep. Peter Unabia of Misamis Oriental, reelected Rep. Jorge Almonte of Misamis Occidental, Rep. Joel Mayo Almario of Davao Oriental and reelected Rep. Mylene Albano of Davao.
Five district representatives-elect also took their oath as new PDP-Laban members: Ricky Sandoval (Malabon-Navotas), Abraham Tolentino (Cavite), Roy Loyola (Cavite), Estrelita Suansing (Nueva Ecija), Along Malapitan (Caloocan City) and Vincent Crisologo (Quezon City).
Also, on Wednesday, Party-list Rep.-elect Mikee Romero of 1-Pacman led the Party List Coalition, with 37 members, in the signing of a coalition with the PDP-Laban to support Alvarez and the Duterte administration.
“Two days after elections, an intimate party was thrown by [former Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio] ‘Tonyboy’ Floirendo [Jr.]. Just two weeks after that lunch, [Alvarez’s speakership was cemented]… he now enjoys the support of more than three-fourths, or almost 260, of 290 House members for his speakership,” Romero said.
The party-list groups include Ako-Bicol, Citizens Battle Against Corruption, 1-Care, Aangat Tayo, ABS, Agbiag, Amin, A-Teacher, Butil, Kabayan, Manila Teachers, TUCP, 1-Sagip, Aasenso, Acts-OFW, Agri, Ang Kabuhayan, BH, Kalinga, Mata, Yacap, 1-Ang Edukasyon, Aambis-Owwa, Abang Lingkod, Agap, Akbayan, Angkla, Buhay, Coop-Natco and PBA.
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ALVAREZ, meanwhile, said the 17th Congress will amend the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act, or the so-called Pangilinan law, following the increasing number of crimes involving minors.
Currently, he said minors are being used by crime syndicates, because they are not yet accountable under that law.
“Don’t get me wrong, the objective of the law is noble. However, in reality, nagkakaroon ng problema sa implementation dahil iyong mga minors, 15 years old and below, ay ginagamit na nang mga sindikato,” Alvarez said.
Under the law, a child over 9 years old and under 15 at the time of the commission of the offense, unless he or she acted with discernment, in which case he or she shall be prosecuted in accordance with Article 192 (of the Revise Penal Code), are exempted from prosecution.
Alvarez said the next Congress will restore the previous law, wherein the minimum age of criminal responsibility was 9.
The previous law said a child 9 years of age or under at the time of the offense shall be exempt from criminal liability and shall be committed to the care of his or her father or mother, or nearest relative or family friend in the discretion of the court and subject to its supervision.
1 comment
Hindi na bago at matagal ng nakagawian ng mga pulitiko ang TURNCOATS and JUMPING SHIP… inaasahan na’yan, walang bago at more than 50 years ng ganito ang PULITIKA at ELEKSYON sa PILIPINAS. Nabubulok, may SAKIT na CANCER ang pulitika at election sa PILIPINAS..
Walang pinagkaiba ang TURNCOATISM, BALIMBING, JUMPING SHIP at BALIGTARIN sa isang “MAKAPILI,” nakamaskarang pro-JAPs nuong panahon ng Japanese Occupation nung WW 2..
after the LIBERATION (1945), thousands of “MAKAPILI” ang pinagpapatay, pinahirapan ng mga Pilipino at naakusahang TAKSIL, TRAYDOR, BALIGTARIN at OPORTUNISTA..
Ang tanong ng marami, KAILAN MAIPAGBABAWAL ang salot na TURNCOATISM sa PULITIKA ? Kailan mababago at maisareREPORMA ang pulitika at eleksyon sa PILIPINAS?