A viral video showing a woman pickpocketing a shopper inside a grocery store has sparked a wider conversation on morality and accountability in this week’s episode of “Cayetano in Action with Boy Abunda” (CIA with BA).
While the act appeared minor, the show’s hosts and legal experts used it to explore a deeper issue: how the law determines punishment based on the value of what was stolen—and how this principle also applies to corruption cases involving public funds.
“Wala bang pagkakaiba kung ang ninakaw ay limang piso o isandaang piso?” host Boy Abunda asked.
According to Atty. Jackie Gan, penalties indeed vary depending on the amount involved. “The law seeks proportionality. The heavier the crime, the heavier the punishment,” she explained. For instance, stealing ₱300 could mean imprisonment for up to 30 days, while taking a luxury wallet containing ₱5 million could lead to up to 20 years in prison.
When asked if returning the stolen item could absolve the offender, Atty. Marian Cayetano clarified that theft is already consummated once the property is unlawfully taken. “Kahit maibalik pa, may kaso pa rin,” she said.
Abunda later linked the discussion to the country’s ongoing struggle with corruption. “Kung pagnanakaw ng pondo ng bayan, may kaibahan ba sa parusa kung ₱20 million o ₱5 billion ang ninakaw?” he asked.
Atty. Mark Demova explained that cases involving at least ₱50 million in stolen public funds fall under plunder, a serious crime punishable by life imprisonment.
Through the episode, “CIA with BA” underscored a simple yet powerful reminder: whether it’s five pesos or five billion, stealing remains stealing.
Understanding how the law works, the hosts said, is vital to fostering a culture of accountability and honesty—especially in times when corruption continues to drain the nation’s coffers.
The program, hosted by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, and Boy Abunda, airs Sundays at 11:00 p.m. on GMA-7, with replays on GTV every Saturday at 10:30 p.m.
