La Union solon backs death penalty bill

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – La Union 1st District Rep. Pablo C. Ortega recently said that the judiciary will play a key role once the death penalty is restored.

“Judges should study carefully that those who will be charged with heinous crimes will be investigated properly. They should study well if the accused deserves the death penalty,” Ortega said.

Ortega, a member of the majority bloc, said he is in favor of the death penalty as long as it will be implemented and amended properly.

“I am for the death penalty but there are some amendments that will be made to ensure that only those who deserve to be meted with death sentence will be punished,” he said.

Ortega said that majority of the Congressmen in the ruling coalition are in favor of the death penalty, provided some amendments are made.

“We conducted a majority caucus to hear the different views of the Congressmen and what their proposals are for amendments so that the bill will be implemented properly,” Ortega said.

Ortega discounted the pronouncement of Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez that members of the majority who are against the death penalty bill would be ousted from the coalition.

“That’s not true. The speaker just wants clarification from opposing members for their proposals for amendments,” he said.

Alvarez, a staunch ally of President Duterte, is determined to have the bill passed on 3rd and final reading before the 17th Congress takes a break on March 18.

Ortega said he is not in favor of the inclusion of plunder in the death penalty because it is sometimes being made as reason for political revenge.