AFTER experiencing traffic in Cebu during his family caravan last Saturday, senatorial candidate Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said he will support the Senate version of the creation of a Metro Cebu Development Authority (MCDA).
Pangilinan said in a press briefing on Saturday that compared to nine years ago when he last ran for a seat in the Senate in 2007, he could no longer conduct caravans on the road since they would only contribute to the vehicles causing traffic.
That’s why, he said, he supports this initiative of the local government unit who knows what’s happening since they are the front-liners.
He said that he is willing to work hand in hand with Senator Ralph Recto on this initiative.
Pangilinan was also asked what amendments he will introduce to the Juvenile Justice Act.
He said prior to ending his term in 2013, he said he had already made amendments to it including the establishment of the Juvenile Justice Council, funding for the construction of more rehabilitation centers all over the country, and tightening the law against minor offenders.
“We’re not deaf and we actually responded,” he said.
He said children who commit crimes like carjacking, rape and murder will not released.
He also said that instead of criticizing him for the flaws of the law, local government units and authorities should focus on the adult backers, citing corrupt officials and policemen.
“Habulin ang backer, buwagin ang sindikato and mawawala ang power nung bata [to commit crime] (Go after the adult backer and go after the syndicates and the power of the children to commit crime will be gone),” he said.
But Pangilinan said that “kamay na bakal” is not the answer to address crime.