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oppose death To marshal enough support for the bill, prodeath penalty legislators struck off all
penalty bill
other crimes that were proposed in the original bill to be punishable by death,
capital punishment. The controversial measure was approved only eight session days after it reached
international legal obligations, the ICJ said. It is obvious that proponents of state killing as means of justice were intent on
rushing the passage of the death penalty bill by thwarting any substantial
The ICJ condemned the approval on second reading of a bill to restore the death
discussion thereon and by pressuring into silence those who oppose it, said
penalty by the House of Representatives on March 1 and called on legislators to
Emerlynne Gil, ICJs senior international legal adviser for Southeast Asia.
vigorously oppose it and prevent it from being passed on final reading.
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A similar bill proposing to bring back the death penalty has been filed at the
If adopted, the legislation will place the Philippines at odds with its legal Senate. The Senate committee on justice and human rights conducted the first
obligation under international treaties to which it is party, the International hearing on the bill last Feb. 7.
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and its second, Optional Protocol aiming at
railroaded this week when the House passed on second reading House Bill No.
4727, which seeks to reintroduce the death penalty for drug-related crimes.
absolute perpetual disqualification from any public office, on any
public officer or employee who misappropriates, misapplies, or fails to
account for seized dangerous drugs.
The bill adds: "Any elective local or national official found to have
benefited from the proceeds of the trafficking of dangerous drugs as
prescribed in this Act, or have received any financial or material
contributions or donations from natural or juridical persons found
guilty of trafficking dangerous drugs as prescribed in this Act, shall be
removed from office and perpetually disqualified from holding any
elective or appointive positions in the government, its divisions,
subdivisions, and intermediaries, including government-owned or
controlled corporations."
The House of Representatives has approved House Bill 4727, or the The bill authorizes hanging, firing squad, and lethal injection as
proposed Death Penalty Law, on 2nd reading in a viva voce vote. modes of execution.
The approval came on Ash Wednesday, which kicks off the Lenten The approval came amid questions from opponents of the bill who
season in the Roman Catholic Church's calendar. Lent wanted to tackle each of the individual amendments and put them to a
commemorates the passion, execution, and resurrection of Jesus vote separately before the entire bill is voted upon.
Christ.
The opponents likewise repeatedly asked for nominal voting each
The approved version of the bill makes the death penalty an option for time a subject matter is put to a vote, instead of a mere viva voce.
judges to impose on those convicted only for drug-related offenses.
All proposals inconsistent with the results of the supermajority caucus
The proposed law imposes the penalty of reclusion perpetua to death were refused.
and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P10 million in addition to
Opponents of the bill wanted to delete the death penalty from the bill Usually, votes on 2nd reading are done viva voce while nominal voting
but they were all rejected. is done on 3rd and final reading. However a nominal vote earlier than
the 3rd reading vote telegraphs or gives a good indication of the stand
After 2 hours, House Majority Leader Rodolfo Farias said the bill's of each lawmaker, allowing pressure groups the opportunity to do
opponents were not really interested in amending so he acceded to some last-minute jockeying for votes.
the motion for a 2nd roll call and indicated he will terminate the period
of amendments. The death penalty was abolished during the Arroyo administration in
2006. Former President Gloria Arroyo, now a House deputy speaker,
The vote to approve on 2nd reading then came later. has expressed her opposition to the bill despite the threat from House
Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez that those who oppose the bill will be
Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin wanted the bill remanded to the stripped of their positions.
Dangerous Drugs Committee. Villarin cited Section 28 (k) of the Rules
of the House, which states that the Committee on Dangerous Drugs The bill has become a divisive matter in the lower House, taking the
has authority over all "matters directly and principally relating to illegal majority several caucuses to get a consensus.
and prohibited drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals,
the production, manufacture, use and trafficking thereof, as well as Alvarez asked members of the majority back the measure, calling for
the rehabilitation and treatment of drug dependents." party votes among supermajority member parties.
"Hindi dapat mauna ang karitela sa kabayo. How can we properly The death penalty is also expected to determine whether the Liberal
discuss the penalty if we won't tackle the nature of the crimes?" he Party lawmakers will stay in the majority . The LP has adopted a party
said. stand against the death penalty but allowed its members to vote
based on their conscience without fear of party sanctions.
Kabayan Party-List Rep. Harry Roque earlier said a viva voce keeps
the votes of each congressmen anonymous under the cloak of loud Opposition LP members are hoping those who would be punished for
voices while nominal voting compels each lawmaker to put on record voting against the bill will join the ranks of the minority at the lower
his or her vote. House.