Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo postponed...

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo postponed for three months the scheduled executions of three convicted rapists amid a growing debate in the country over capital punishment. Arroyo's Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the execution of rapist Rolando Pagdayawon, which was scheduled for Aug. 30, had been stayed until Nov. 28. Eddie Sernadilla and Filomeno Serrano from September 2002 to December 2002. "The reprieve is being granted to afford this office...additional time to conduct a thorough study in order to determine if executive clemency may be extended to the prisoner," Bunye said. The House of Representatives, had the previous day, scheduled for floor deliberations a proposed law doing away with capital punishment. Congresswoman Loretta Ann Rosales, who chairs the House committee on civil, political and human rights that pushed the measure, said the delay allows for debate on whether capital punishment deters crime.