The death penalty has gotten a new lease on its legal life, so to speak.
House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro have co-authored a bill that seeks to impose the death penalty on heinous crimes. The bill was the top agenda on Tue, Jul 26, the second day of the regular sessions for the 17th Congress.
The bill will esssentially repeal Republic Act 9346, which prohibits the imposition of death penalty in the Philippines.
“These are among the top priority measures that Alvarez mentioned in his inaugural speech upon winning his speakership bid,” reports Patricia Lourdes Viray on Philstar.com.
Alvarez stated, “As the President has said, it is a simple universal law of karma: if you borrow from me a thousand pesos, then you must pay back the same amount plus interest. If you take a human life especially if you do it deliberately and with premeditation, you must pay with your life.”
Alvarez had also pointed out that “among ASEAN nations, only the Philippines and Cambodia have no capital punishment.”
The report noted: “Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Farinas, Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr., Rizal Rep. Michael John Duavit, Tarlac Rep. Carlos Cojuangco, Masbate Rep. Elisa Kho, Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu, Cebu Rep. Benhur Salimbangon, Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez and Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Rodel Batocabe also co-authored the death penalty bill.”
