Wakim and Apey: My PBB Otso Reaction

By: Jolo Van Clyde S. Abatayo, RL

I can feel you two, Apey and Wakim!

APEY.

Honestly, we have similarities. I believe that strong people are sometimes insensitive. Their attitudes and characters are just the products of their gloomy pasts. I can't blame Apey for that. I just hope that she can free herself from the bondage of the past.

I just think that Apey finds it hard to release her pain because it isn’t easy to forgive and forget. Time can ease but only love can suppress. Also, I think she needs someone who can understand her more. She needs someone who can accept her flaws and who is willing to be the catalyst for her to change positively (and that is her brother, Mark). Mark should be more patient. Mark should be more like a placid river who can make Apey feel that with him, there’s always a feeling of being safe and sound. Moreover, it's a good thing that Big Brother/Kuya asks help from a counseling expert. Apey really needs counseling. 

　

WAKIM.

Because of your undeniable intelligence, you feel like it's always the brain that should be the top of everything, that's why you also forget how important it is to use your heart. I know you are starting to realize that.

Also, I think Wakim has a bookish personality. He’s brilliant but he doesn’t know how to go out from his comfort zone (yet) because he believes that reading is the only way to fuel the mind. One thing I can advise to him is that he should learn to understand that there is so much in life that we can’t pick up from reading or being great in academics. He needs to use effectively and efficiently not just his mind but heart in different situations.

There is nothing wrong in being different or being an outcast. I know it is necessary to adapt and fit in but it is also not a sin to be yourself.  I strongly think that these two need to go far! They are just being true to themselves. PBB can be an instrument to metamorphose or change them. I still have my hopes for these two. :)

Lowering the Criminal Responsibilty: Bits of Facts and My Stance!

By: Jolo Van Clyde S. Abatayo, RL

Bits of FACTS!

Republic Act (RA) 10630 is the law that currently retains the minimum age of criminal liability at 15 but allows children as young as 12 to be detained in youth care facilities or Bahay Pag-asa for serious crimes only such as rape, murder, and homicide, among others. This law formerly amended RA 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, which sets the age of criminal responsibility at 15 years old (Cepeda, 2019).

Last January 21, 2019, the Committee on Justice submitted a report regarding the proposed amendment of RA 10630 which is the House Bill No. 8858. It aims to lower the criminal responsibility of children to 9 years old. However, on Wednesday, January 23, 2019, the house has decided to alter the provision. Instead of lowering it to 9 years old, they’ve changed it to 12 years old.

Bits of my STANCE!

Since I am a librarian and a professional, I always do research before reacting to the different political issues the country is facing right now. I want to talk more about the proposed minimum criminal liability age that is one of the gigantic political concerns in the country. Before, I really don’t have an idea about it so I kept myself silent, but because I have read legit articles or write-ups about the proposed amendments of the existing law, Republic Act (RA) 10630, I have become so interested and curious (real quick) about it. (I would like to thank the official gazette too for the republic acts).

Honestly, I don’t have a problem with it because if we look at the reality, it is so rampant that there are many cases right now about children abusing the law. This amendment will just serve as a discipline against children who are not afraid to disobey the law. It will also serve as a very painful slap and spank to the parents, guardians, teachers, churches, and other concerned individuals or institutions who are not doing their part in transforming these juveniles into law-abiding citizens.   Furthermore, it is not stated in the bill that the children who will be found guilty will be put in jail. In fact, they will be sent to reformative institutions. The treatments will not be the same as what adult criminals are experiencing. The aim of it is to discipline and metamorphose them! Also, there are many countries who have lower criminal responsibility age than the proposed one. To wrap it up... I'm OK with it! Let's make it happen coz I don't like to bet my hopes for this country to children who can't be tamed!

Here are some of the Asian countries are faring in terms of setting the minimum age of holding their juvenile offenders accountable for crimes committed:

1. INDONESIA (from 8 to 12 years old)

Indonesia's law set the age of criminal responsibility to 8 years old.
However, a new law on the Juvenile Justice System came to force in 2014 which increases the minimum age of trial from 8 to 12 years old. The new law also encourages the use of restorative justice practices among others.

[Source: UNICEF.org]

2. THAILAND (7 years old) 

In Thailand, criminal responsibility starts when the child is older than 7 years old. But while the child cannot be punished until he is over 14 years old, the court has the power to decide whether to release him to his parents or guardians under certain conditions or send him to a training school for a designated period, among others. 

[Source: Child Rights International Network (CRIN)]

3. MALAYSIA (10 years old)

The Penal Code set the age of criminal responsibility to 10 years old. But the Syariah Criminal Offences Act of 1997 states that children are held criminally responsible from the onset of puberty, while crimes under the Internal Security Act can be prosecuted regardless of age.

[Source: Child Rights International Network (CRIN)]

4. SINGAPORE (7 years old)

The Penal Code in Singapore set the age of criminal responsibility at 7 years old. Child offenders aged 16-17 are tried as adults.

[Source: Child Rights International Network (CRIN)]

5. VIETNAM (14 years old)

The current age for criminal responsibility in Vietnam is at 14. Child offenders aged 14 and older are criminally responsible for very serious crimes while children 16 or older are criminally liable for any offense.

[Source: Child Rights International Network (CRIN)]

6. CAMBODIA (14 years old)

While the age of criminal responsibility in Cambodia is at 14, child offenders are usually tried as adults and mixed with adults while in detention.

But this is what the new Juvenile Justice Law that was passed in 2016 hopes to address in treating children in conflict with the law.

[Source: UNICEF Cambodia]

7. MYANMAR, (7 years old)

Under Myanmar's Child Law, children above 7 to 12 years old may be held criminally responsible if they have "attained sufficient maturity of understanding to judge the nature and consequences" of their conduct.

[Source: Child Rights International Network (CRIN)]

8. BRUNEI (7 years old)

Brunei's Penal code states that children 7 to 12 can be criminally responsible where they have attained sufficient maturity of understanding to judge the nature and consequences of their actions at the time of the offense.

[Source: Child Rights International Network (CRIN)]

9. LAOS (15 years old)

Children who committed an offense cannot be held criminally liable if they are under the age of 15.

[Source: Child Rights International Network (CRIN)]

10. JAPAN (14 years old)

Children can be held responsible for a crime committed if they are 14 years old and above. It also sets the minimum age at 14 where the child shall be subjected to detention during process of investigation.

[Source: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan]

11. Hong Kong (10 years old)

The Juvenile Offenders Ordinance of Hong Kong states that no children under the age of 10 can be found guilty of a crime. A juvenile court shall have jurisdiction to hear and establish a charge against a child.

[Source: Hong Kong e-Legislation]

12. South Korea (14 years old)

The current age of criminal responsibility in South Korea is at 14. However, the government is seeking to lower this to 13 following rising violent incidents involving the youth.

[Source: youthpolicy.org] 

13. China (14 to 16 years old)

Article 17 of the Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China set the age of criminal responsibility at 16 years old. However, children who reached 14 and committed serious crimes such as homicide, rape, robbery, drug trafficking, arson, explosion or poisoning will be held criminally liable.

"Hey! You! Yes, you! What are your thoughts on this matter? Please let me know!"

References:

·        rappler.com

·        officialgazette.gov.ph

·        news.abs-cbn.com

The Happy Apey: My PBB Otso Reaction

By: Jolo Van Clyde S. Abatayo, RL

Pinoy Big Brother Abs-Cbn is a popular reality show here in the Philippines. The word "Pinoy" is an informal term used by many here in the country to describe the Filipinos. PBB was first aired last August 21, 2005 on ABS-CBN, one of the biggest Television Networks in Ph. The tagline for the series is "Ipakita Mo ang Tunay Na Ikaw" or in the English language, "Show the Real You".

The show continuously creates a concussion to the multitudinous viewers inside and outside the country. It is even considered as one of the most successful and longest running reality shows in the Philippines because the people are crazy about it and what makes it more interesting is because some of the housemates are already influential or public figures. Also, there are housemates who have amazing characters or personalities that really attract the audiences. The Big Winner will be determined on the choice of the majority of viewers and it is done through text votes.

I can say that, before, I was not really that spirited on this show. You know ,reality shows aren't a big deal for me, however, because of this PBB Otso (Adult Edition), I feel like it is nice to observe or study human attitudes, emotions, and behaviors. This blog is all about my reaction and criticism on the housemates based on what I can observe from them daily. I know I don't have the right to judge them because I don't know them personally and deeply, but I still have my democratic rights to express out my mind. 

Let's start with the HAPPY APEY!

I think she's a strong woman who has a colorful personality. She's funny. However, based on the videos that I've watched, I think she’s insensitive. You can actually see it through how he handles the conflict between her and Yamyam. I can say that strong people are sometimes insensitive because they are very vocal and firm in their ideals. I think we have similarities because I consider myself a strong warrior and I sometimes have this attitude of being so insensitive, but I am trying to be empathetic as much as possible. I can also observe that Apey is not a good listener. The way she communicates with other housemates is unacceptable. I know she is just being true to herself but she must also consider the feelings of other housemates. I think she needs to learn how to be open-minded. I also believe that her egoistic attitude could lead her to downfall.   

Moreover, in her problem with Marie, I think she's going too far already. I know that she can relate to Marie because she is also longing for her father but I think it is not a good thing to put your feet to others' shoes. According to our Professor in our MLIS Subject, Personal Mastery and Human Inquiry, it is not right to give partial or sudden advice and judgment to people if you're not an expert in counseling. We have differences when it comes to coping mechanisms that's why counseling is very complicated. It must be done in a proper way. To all of you, be very careful in accepting and giving advice from random people. Words are deadly and powerful!

I just hope that Apey will realize her mistakes. She needs to change her murky attitudes for her to go far. You know the audiences hold her fate. I still have my high hopes with her though. Please open your eyes and heart, Apey.

Next: The Bizarre Wakim!

See ya on my next blog!

References:

For the Photos:

https://www.facebook.com/PBBabscbntv