PHILIPPINES: DEATH PENALTY BILL REVIVED AT SENATE

a bill reimposing the death penalty is being revived at the Philippine Senate by Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri. The measure is known as Senate Bill 2322 known as “An Act Reimposing the Penalty of Death on Certain Heinous Crimes Amending for the Purpose Certain Sections of the Revised Penal Code as Amended for Other Purposes.” But Senators Manuel “Mar” Roxas and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan opposed the return of capital punishment. Roxas said the revival of the issue was a "knee-jerk reaction" to the controversy. "Our problem is not in the punishment. Our problem is in apprehension, prosecution, and justice system. Even if you push for death penalty, that is not a deterrent because these criminals are not caught and even if they are, there are justice officials who intervene so that they can be freed. Justice can be bought in our country,” Roxas said. “So, as far as I’m concerned, the death penalty isn’t important. What can help the fight against drugs and other problems in the justice system is an effective and efficient judicial system," he said.