MANILA, July 27 – Appropriate legal actions will be taken against actress-comedian “Juana Change” (Mae Paner in real life) for wearing a military uniform during one of the protest actions held during the second State-of-the-Nation-Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte last July 24.
“Ms. Mae Paner, popularly known as ‘Juana Change,’ has inappropriately used our military uniform and disrespected it since she is not a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines nor a part of our Reservists Corps,” AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said Thursday.
“Her act of illegally using an AFP uniform is in violation of Article 179 of the RPC (Revised Penal Code) (Unauthorized Use of Uniforms) and RA (Republic Act) 493 (Prohibition of Use of Insignias, Decorations, Badges and patches prescribed for the AFP). We will take the necessary legal action to hold Ms. Paner accountable,” he added.
Article 179 states that the penalty of “arresto mayor” shall be imposed upon any person who shall publicly and improperly make use of insignia, uniforms or dress pertaining to an office not held by such person or to a class of persons.
While RA 493 stressed that it is unlawful for any person or association or persons not in the service of the AFP and the Philippine Constabulary, the forerunner of the PNP, to use, or confer upon himself or another any military or naval grade or title which is, or may hereafter be, prescribed by laws and regulations for the use of the Armed Forces or Constabulary
Section 2 of the above-mentioned law also states that the use or wearing of any military or naval insignia, badge or emblem of rank while engaged in representing a military or naval character shall be subject to supervision and regulation by the Secretary of National Defense.
Padilla added every time “Juana Change” appears in public wearing a military uniform, it counts as one violation and will be just compounding her legal liabilities.
The latter’s unauthorized wearing of a military uniform earned her the ire of netizens. (Priam F. Nepomuceno/PNA)
