THE PHILIPPINES. ARROYO CRITIC LAUDS PRESIDENT’S CALL TO SCRAP DEATH PENALTY

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's call to scrap the death penalty in the Philippines gained appreciation even from her critics at the House of Representatives.
"It is a very welcome move befitting the commemoration of the Edsa anniversary because it keeps in line with the principle of civilized nations who uphold the sanctity of life and the principle of restorative, instead of punitive justice," Akbayan Representative Loretta Ann Rosales said.
Majority Floor Leader Prospero Nograles said the majority bloc was open to work with the opposition to hasten the approval of a consolidated bill repealing capital punishment.
"The majority bloc is considering to work with the minority bloc headed by Sorsogon Representative Francis Escudero to push for the abolition of the death penalty," Nograles said in a statement.
Rosales, a left-leaning representative and vocal critic of Arroyo, lauded the President’s announcement that she would certify as urgent the measure to abolish the death penalty. House Bill 4826, also known as "An act prohibiting the imposition of death penalty in the country," had been approved in the House committee level but remained pending for plenary debates.