12 reps file resolution opposing death penalty

If the death penalty is reimposed in the Philippines, the country will lose its leadership in the Asean and Asian Region in the promotion of human rights.

This was raised by 12 members of the House of Representatives who filed a resolution opposing the reimposition of the death penalty, as proposed under House Bill 4727 and now a subject of debate.

Those who opposed the death penalty in a resolution are Reps. Raul V. Del Mar (Cebu City, north), Edcel Lagman (Albay), Rom S. Villarin, Raul A. Daza (Samar), Ramon Rocamora, Lawrence H. Fortun, Juliet Marie D. Ferrer, Antonio L. Tinio, Bolet Banal, Gabriel Bordado Jr., Emmanuel Billiones, and Gary Alejano.

“The Philippines was the first Asian country to abolish the death penalty,” they said.

Earlier, Rep. Lito Atienza (Buhay Party-List) visited Cebu to urge the people to fight the reimposition of the death penalty.

The death penalty has been abolished twice: by the 1987 Constitution under Section 9(1) of Article III, and second, by Republic Act 9346, which took effect in July 2006.

“While no time is right and ripe for pushing for the reimposition of the death penalty, now is the worst time to enact the revival of capital punishment when scalawag cops are the very felons, and rogues in robes preside over the life or deaths of citizens,” read their resolution.