Miss Universe Catriona Gray urged: Speak vs lower age of criminal liability
Catriona Gray of the Philippines smiles after being crowned the new Miss Universe 2018 on Dec. 17, 2018 in Bangkok. (Photo by LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — As debates on lowering the age of criminal liability continue, the public yearned for that one voice that championed children’s cause at the world stage: Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray.
Taking their call on social media, netizens urged Gray to speak about moves by legislators at the House of Representatives to set the minimum age of criminal responsibility at nine years old.
Twitter user Justin Dizon cited the reigning Miss Universe’s role in a foundation, which helps kids in Tondo.
“Now is the time for @catrionaelisa to say her stand on the issue. As a Miss Universe, she possesses a great amount of influence that can help us fight this move of the House. @catrionaelisa, what is your take on this? After all, you worked a lot in the slums of Tondo, Manila,” Dizon said.
Now is the time for @catrionaelisa to say her stand on the issue. As a Miss Universe, she possesses a great amount of influence that can help us fight this move of the House.@catrionaelisa, what is your take on this? After all, you worked a lot in the slums of Tondo, Manila. pic.twitter.com/hHCqEaFiG5
— Justin Dizon ⚡️ (@jjcdizon) January 22, 2019
Dizon also noted that should Gray distance herself from the hotly contested issue, it would go against her advocacy for children.
“And a refusal to comment on this issue because it’s ‘political’ would simply go against her advocacy which gave her the crown. She will not be able to ‘look in the beauty in the faces of the children’ kung ikukulong ang mga batang dapat niyang pinagtatanggol,” Dizon said.
And a refusal to comment on this issue because it’s “political” would simply go against her advocacy which gave her the crown.
She will not be able to “look in the beauty in the faces of the children” kung ikukulong ang mga batang dapat niyang pinagtatanggol.
— Justin Dizon ⚡️ (@jjcdizon) January 22, 2019
Another netizen Amber Quiban also appealed to Gray, saying her advocacy to bring smiles to children could not be fulfilled if they will be imprisoned.
“We need your voice regarding this matter. Your platform was to bring smiles to faces of children but we can’t do that by putting them behind bars and tagging them as criminals,” Quiban said.
Hello, @catrionaelisa. We need your voice regarding this matter. Your platform was to bring smiles to faces of children but we can't do that by putting them behind bars and tagging them as criminals. #ChildrenNotCriminals
— Amber Quiban (@GeeYanii) January 21, 2019
Isn't Miss U Catriona Gray's advocacy for children's rights and uplifting children of marginalized communities? I wonder what her stand is on the proposed legislation in her home country seeking to lower the age of criminal liability to 9. #ChildrenNotCriminals
— Diego Magallona (@diegomags) January 21, 2019
I think Queen @catrionaelisa should speak up against the lowering of the minimum age of criminal liability in the Philippines to 9 years old. I think we all remember it when she said that "we owe it to our children to believe in them." #ChildrenNotCriminals
— Cleve Arguelles (@CleveArguelles) January 22, 2019
On Monday, the House justice committee quickly approved a proposed law lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 15 years old to nine.
READ: House panel swiftly okays lower age of criminal liability
A day later, the House of Representatives started plenary debates on House Bill No. 8858. /kga
