Two House committees jointly approved a bill seeking...

Two House committees jointly approved a bill seeking to abolish the death penalty.The committees on Revision of Laws, and Civil, Political and Human Rights approved Committee Report 700, recommending the approval of House Bill (HB) 5114.
The bill, which is a consolidation of six other bills, will now be presented to the plenary for floor deliberations.
In a press briefing, Civil, Political, and Human Rights committee chairperson Rep. Loretta Ann P. Rosales said Republic Act 7659 or the death penalty law should be revoked since it is a "ruthless disregard to human life."
"Death penalty is the most inhumane, cruel, and degrading punishment man can impose to his fellow human being," she said, adding that it "places the government in an inconsistent position with regard to its commitment to the rule of the law, and the protection and promotion of human rights."
Revision of Laws Committee chairman Rep. Orlando A. Fua, Jr. said capital punishment failed to achieve its main goal of serving as a deterrent to heinous crimes.
"Studies show that what prevents people from committing crimes is the certainty of apprehension, speedy prosecution and, if warranted, conviction," Mr. Fua said.
He added that death penalty is anti-poor since 93.73% of the current 1,010 death convicts come from the marginalized sectors who cannot afford to hire competent lawyers. Of this total, 47.6% are industrial workers, 32.2% are farmers, 12.4% are low-income earners, and 2.4% are jobless.
He said 22 male death convicts are scheduled for execution this year, with the first scheduled for Aug. 30, 2002.
The Free Legal Assistance Group commended the two committees and the 97 representatives at the Lower House who supported the bill.
"The joint committee report represents the first significant step towards upholding, promoting and protecting the fundamental rights and freedom of the Filipino people," FLAG secretary-general Maria Socorro I. Diokno said.