The Senate Committee on Justice endorsed the early...

The Senate Committee on Justice endorsed the early approval of a bill authored by Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and 15 other senators seeking the abolition of the death penalty as Malacañang confirmed that President Arroyo had suspended all executions pending congressional passage of the repealing bill. Sen. Francis Pangilinan, justice committee chairman, confirmed the committee's endorsement to strike down the death penalty law, adding that lawmakers hope to pass the Senate version of the abolition bill within the year. More than 100 congressmen earlier passed a resolution backing abolition of the law, sending a clear signal to Malacañang, say chief backers, of the legislature's intent. Pangilinan circulated a committee report for the signatures of the members, hoping to submit the bill for floor debates and amendments before Congress recesses again, on October 26. As endorsed by the justice committee, the Pimentel bill provides that all death-penalty provisions in existing laws, as well as the Revised Penal Code, shall revert to life imprisonment or reclusion perpetua without benefit of parole. "That is the gist of our committee report on the abolition of the death penalty," Pangilinan told Senate reporters. He said the justice committee welcomed Malacañang's decision to suspend the execution of death convicts while Congress is still deliberating on the bill. The suspension was announced by Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople to European diplomats and confirmed a day later by the Palace. "At least, here in the Senate, we have more than a majority of senators in favor of abolishing the death penalty. So that means that when the debates take place, unless there is a change of heart, I am hopeful that in the Senate we will be able to pass that bill," Pangilinan said. Although the bill is not on the priority list, he expects to deliver his sponsorship of the committee report before the next recess and then finish the interpellations and period of amendments by November. In filing the bill, Pimentel and the 15 other senators agreed that the death penalty has not proved to be a deterrent to crime, as touted by its advocates. Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said in a news briefing that the President gave no specific period for the suspension. "President Arroyo confirmed the announcement Tuesday of Secretary Ople that the execution of death convicts would be suspended to allow Congress reasonable time to finish its review of a pending resolution of 100 congressmen seeking a moratorium on all executions until the passage of a bill repealing the death penalty law," Bunye said.