MANILA, Philippines — For Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray’s stance on lowering the age of criminal responsibility does not have any effect on her role in promoting the country’s tourism.
Gray, an advocate of children’s rights, said the country should focus on addressing the reasons why children commit crimes instead of lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, however, disapprove of Gray’s opinion and said she was probably “misinformed” on the issue.
The House of Representatives earlier voted to lower the age of “social responsibility” from 15 to 12 — three years older than the first proposal discussed to lower it to just nine years old. The move was met with strong criticism.
Watch what Puyat had to say on the Palace’s comment on Gray’s stance: