House Of Representatives Extends Capital Punishment Debates Up To January 2017
The debate on capital punishment was extended by House of the Representative up to 2017 after the Congress takes its Christmas vacation.
The House Bill (HB) Number 1 would be submitted during the second reading on the second to the last session day of hearing on December 13, 2016, according to
Fariñas statement contradicts the opinion of Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez saying that the House would not make a move to submit the proposed capital punishment bill on the final reading by December.
The lawyers will debate on the proposed death penalty bill in January 2017, when the Congress reopens. Fariñas said that HB2 was already approved by House committee on justice with a vote of 12 agree, 6 disagree, and 1 undecided on Wednesday (December 07, 2016).
The Wednesday afternoon meeting prioritized the bills regarding the capital punishment. The discussion made the majority of the lawmakers in favor to impose the death penalty in the Philippines for those who will be involved in the drug-related cases.
“Kanina, like I told you, when we met, ang bilang ko mga in favor of death penalty easily 50. ‘Yung against mga 15, ‘yung talagang ayaw. Tapos ‘yung 35 eh undecided. But they said dadami pa ‘yan and request nila, puwedeng request natin na i-full debate ‘yan. So ‘yan ang ni-relay ko kay Speaker at pumayag siya,” said by Fariñas quoted by Rappler.
The majority leader also cited the point of view of Senator Manny Pacquiao, who earlier stated that he’s in favor of reviving the death penalty on drug cases. Fariñas also explained that his law will reduce the rate of criminality in the country.
Several religious groups, human rights groups, and several lawmakers oppose the implementation of the capital punishment. The death penalty was previously abolished in the Philippines and we are the first country to eliminate the capital punishment.
The death penalty was reimposed by former President Fidel V. Ramos during his administration to decrease the criminality in the country but it was eventually abolished by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2006.
