In November, speaking at the Third Committee of the...

In November, speaking at the Third Committee of the General Assembly (human rights) under item 116a (death penalty), the representative of the Philippines said his country could not support any resolution calling for the progressive abolition of capital punishment or for the establishment of a moratorium on executions unless the Philippines Congress provides otherwise. "In the same manner that the Philippines believes it is unfair for states to impose their will on others, we are fully cognizant of the sentiments of other delegations on their opposition to the use of the death penalty and we respect the right of those countries to express their views on the eventual abolition of the death penalty," he said. "However, realizing the need to balance humanitarian concerns and the demands of social justice within the framework of the Philippine Constitution, we maintain our position to reflect the sovereign will of the Filipino people."