The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines...

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) expressed support for the decision of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo not to lift the moratorium on the death penalty, saying there was no clear evidence that it had a deterrent effect. In a statement, Davao Archbishop and CBCP President Fernando Capalla expressed hope that Congress would abolish the death penalty for good and restore the 1985 constitutional provision banning it. "For us Catholics, the bottom line is: a human being does not become a monster or a devil when he or she commits a crime. His/her inherent goodness is not destroyed by the criminal act," Mr. Capalla said. In supporting the President, Mr. Capalla said the CBCP is just restating its previous statement issued on July 24, 1992 and signed by Archbishop Carmelo Morelos on the "non-restoration of the death penalty." The abolition of the death penalty was strongly recommended by the 1971 United Nations Resolution, according to the statement. "Many countries have since abolished it," Mr. Capalla said.