The Church warned President Arroyo against succumbing...

The Church warned President Arroyo against succumbing to pressure from influential Chinese factions lobbying for the execution of death convicts, in particular kidnappers.
The President's earlier decision to grant a reprieve to Rolando Pagdayawon, Eddie Bernadilla, and Filomeno Serrano reportedly earned the disapproval of the Chinese business community, many of whom have been repeatedly victimized by kidnap-for-ransom syndicates. But the Chief Executive's decision has fanned suspicion that she has succumbed to pressures from the Church, which is very vocal about its aversion to capital punishment. Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the President's moratorium was issued to allow Congress to finish its review of the death penalty and was in response to Akbayan Rep. Loretta Rosales' resolution to suspend all executions until the bill repealing the death penalty has been decided.