Philippine Standard Time
Monday, June 10, 2019, 2:18:54AM

In Defense of the Right to Life: International Law and Death Penalty in the Philippines

A study by the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines and Dr. Christopher Ward, SC, Australian Bar, Adjunct Professor, Australian National University

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2 of 3 pardoned Filipinos in UAE saved from death row – Palace
CNN | http://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/6/24/uae-pardons-three-filipino-convicts.html, June 24, 2023
Robin Padilla wants death penalty for law enforcers, elective execs involved in illegal drugs
The Philippine Daily Inquirer | https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1772452/robin-padilla-wants-death-penalty-vs-law-enforcers-elective-execs-involved-in-illegal-drugs, May 22, 2023
Dela Rosa eyes death penalty for political warlords, private armies
ABS-CBN News | https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/12/23/dela-rosa-eyes-death-penalty-for-political-warlords, May 12, 2023
Marcos asks Widodo to reexamine Mary Jane Velosos case
Philippine News Agency | https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1201341, May 11, 2023
Help sought for Filipinos on death row in Malaysia
The Philippine Daily Inquirer | https://globalnation.inquirer.net/213232/help-sought-for-filipinos-on-death-row-in-malaysia, April 05, 2023
Revilla wants to bring back death penalty
Manila Standard | https://manilastandard.net/news/national/314319673/revilla-wants-to-bring-back-death-penalty.html, April 03, 2023
DFA: 81 Filipinos abroad on death row, 135 acquittals secured in 2022
CNN Philippines | https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/3/29/DFA-81-Filipinos-abroad-on-death-row.html, March 29, 2023
‘No death penalty’: Estrada says current anti-hazing law has sufficient penalties vs hazing
Manila Bulletin | https://mb.com.ph/2023/3/17/no-death-penalty-estrada-says-current-anti-hazing-law-has-sufficient-penalties-vs-hazing, March 17, 2023
‘Reviving death penalty won’t lower crime rates’
Manila Standard | https://manilastandard.net/news/national/314274614/reviving-death-penalty-wont-lower-crime-rates.html, November 01, 2022
CHR: ‘Death penalty inhuman, cruel, degrading, disadvantageous to poor’
Manila Bulletin | https://mb.com.ph/2022/11/01/chr-death-penalty-inhuman-crueldegrading-disadvantageous-to-poor/, November 01, 2022
Lacson withdraws death penalty bill
CNN Philippines | https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/11/9/Ping-Lacson-withdraws-death-penalty-bill-Senate.html, November 09, 2021
Pacquiao won’t push for death penalty for now, says judicial system needs fixing
GMA News | https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/810103/pacquiao-won-t-push-for-death-penalty-for-now-says-judicial-system-needs-fixing/story/, November 08, 2021
Lacson admits having second thoughts on death penalty stand due to reports of wrongful convictions
GMA News | https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/809348/lacson-admits-having-second-thoughts-on-death-penalty-stand-due-to-reports-of-wrongful-convictions/story/, November 02, 2021
Lacson: Death penalty needs further, careful study
Manila Bulletin | https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/02/lacson-death-penalty-needs-further-careful-study/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lacson-death-penalty-needs-further-careful-study, November 02, 2021
DILG defends ‘infiltration’ memo
Inquirer.net | https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1407426/dilg-defends-infiltration-memo, March 16, 2021
Panawagang ibalik ang death penalty, nabuhay kasunod ng pagpatay ni Nuezca sa mag-ina
GMA News | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57Nax4NQ3Fw&feature=emb_title, January 12, 2021
Duterte govt, allies push for death penalty without clear data on deterrent effect
Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/nation/duterte-government-allies-push-death-penalty-without-clear-data, August 06, 2020
Tackling death penalty bill an ‘unnecessary distraction’ amid pandemic — solon
Inquirer.Net | https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1317006/tackling-death-penalty-bill-an-unnecessary-distraction-amid-pandemic-solon, August 05, 2020
CHR says death penalty an ‘utmost form of torture
CNN Philippines | https://www.cnn.ph/news/2020/8/5/CHR-death-penalty-utmost-form-torture-.html, August 05, 2020
House to revive death penalty hearings this week
Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/nation/house-revive-death-penalty-hearings-august-2020, August 02, 2020
Kailangang mapatay: Anti-corruption commissioner pushes for death penalty vs corrupt officials
ABS CBN News | https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/01/20/kailangang-mapatay-anti-corruption-commissioner-pushes-for-death-penalty-vs-corrupt-officials, August 01, 2020
Reviving capital punishment in PH may affect talks to save OFWs on death row–solon
Inquirer.net | https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1315103/reviving-capital-punishment-in-ph-may-affect-talks-to-save-ofws-on-death-row-solon, July 31, 2020
Death penalty? Let’s focus instead on life amid COVID-19 —Binay
GMA News | https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/749184/death-penalty-let-s-focus-instead-on-life-amid-covid-19-binay/story/?fbclid=IwAR0vm4SYUtuRGRS5Z4lLcd6I0xgESfV6gCu7GAn6iHrCj8TPYDOZiEmSHBw, July 30, 2020
Senate to form panel to start hearings on death penalty revival
Manila Bulletin | https://mb.com.ph/2020/07/30/senate-to-form-panel-to-start-hearings-on-death-penalty-revival/, July 30, 2020
No More Death Penalty For Plunder? Duterte’s Push For Capital Punishment For Drug Offenders Revives Debates
One News | https://www.onenews.ph/no-more-death-penalty-for-plunder-duterte-s-push-for-capital-punishment-for-drug-offenders-revives-debates, July 29, 2020
Marcos files bill imposing death by lethal injection for serious crimes
Manila Bulletin | https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/12/25/marcos-files-bill-imposing-death-by-lethal-injection-for-serious-crimes/, December 25, 2019
Death penalty debate should be revived after Maguindanao massacre verdict: Marcos
ABS-CBN News | https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/20/19/death-penalty-debate-should-be-revived-after-maguindanao-massacre-verdict-marcos, December 20, 2019
Law enforcers seek revival of death penalty after P2-B drug bust in Makati, Las Piñas
Yahoo news | https://ph.news.yahoo.com/law-enforcers-seek-revival-death-092528153.html, November 28, 2019
ICAD members call anew for death penalty vs. drug traffickers
Philippine News Agency | https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1087343, November 28, 2019
House to tackle divorce bill, death penalty
The Philippine Star | https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/10/20/1961705/house-tackle-divorce-bill-death-penalty, October 20, 2019
Ninja cops activities a reason against death penalty revival —Atienza
GMA News Online | https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/711503/ninja-cops-activities-a-reason-against-death-penalty-revival-atienza/story/, October 13, 2019
CHR: Reviving death penalty will lead to cycle of violence in PH
Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/nation/242197-chr-reviving-death-penalty-lead-cycle-violence-philippines, October 10, 2019
Philippines to be international lawbreaker if death penalty revived — expert
Philstar | https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/10/10/1959152/philippines-be-international-lawbreaker-if-death-penalty-revived-expert, October 10, 2019
‘I am a Christian’: QC police official lauded for stand vs death penalty
ABS-CBN news | https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/10/19/i-am-a-christian-qc-police-official-lauded-for-stand-vs-death-penalty, October 10, 2019
House panel starts deliberations on death penalty revival
The Philippine Star | https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/09/25/1954791/house-panel-starts-deliberations-death-penalty-revival, September 25, 2019
Death penalty for retribution? Not all victims want revenge – CHR
Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/nation/240909-death-penalty-not-all-victims-want-revenge-chr, September 24, 2019
Death penalty: Deterrent or dilemma in PHL’s war vs. crime?
Business Mirror | https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/09/19/death-penalty-deterrent-or-dilemma-in-phls-war-vs-crime/, September 19, 2019
Death penalty to curb illegal drugs, related crimes: PDEA
Philippine News Agency | https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1075864, July 24, 2019
Duterte asks Congress to restore death penalty for drugs, plunder
Philippine News Agency | https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1075720, July 23, 2019
Senators split on Duterte’s death penalty push
ABS-CBN | https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/22/19/senators-split-on-dutertes-death-penalty-push, July 22, 2019
Duterte pushes for return of death penalty for drug crimes, plunder
Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/nation/236024-duterte-pushes-return-death-penalty-drug-crimes-plunder-sona-2019, July 22, 2019
How we kill: Notes on the death penalty in the Philippines
ABS-CBN | https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/07/14/19/how-we-kill-notes-on-the-death-penalty-in-the-philippines, July 14, 2019
Senators expect intense debate on death penalty bill
Yahoo News|https://ph.news.yahoo.com/senators-expect-intense-debate-death-131304945.html, July 07, 2019
Instead of death penalty, De Lima pushes 50 years in jail without parole
Rappler|https://www.rappler.com/nation/234732-de-lima-qualified-reclusion-perpetua-bill, July 06, 2019
Drilon vows to block death penalty bill
The Philippine Star|https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/07/06/1932458/drilon-vows-block-death-penalty-bill#QyroGvWvAu2vzIZ6.99, July 06, 2019
Bato seeks death by firing squad vs drug traffickers
The Philippine Star|https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/07/05/1932185/bato-seeks-death-firing-squad-vs-drug-traffickers#PT0K0568vDjkI8z0.99, July 05, 2019
PDEA chief expresses support for imposition of death penalty for drug crimes
Manila Bulletin|https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/07/04/pdea-chief-expresses-support-for-imposition-of-death-penalty-for-drug-crimes/, July 04, 2019
PDEA chief says death penalty will deter international drug syndicates
The Philippine Daily Inquirer|https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1137932/pdea-chief-says-death-penalty-will-deter-international-drug-syndicates, July 04, 2019
Lacson files measure reinstituting death penalty for heinous crimes
The Philippine Dail\y Inquirer|https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1137962/lacson-files-measure-reinstituting-death-penalty-for-heinous-crimes#ixzz5t2uOxq00 , July 04, 2019
Pacquiao, Go file bills to revive death penalty
Philippine Star | https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/07/03/1931680/pacquiao-go-file-bills-revive-death-penalty, July 03, 2019
Why bringing back the death penalty is not the solution
The Philippine Daily Inquirer|https://opinion.inquirer.net/122344/why-bringing-back-the-death-penalty-is-not-the-solution#ixzz5t2wNceH6 , July 03, 2019
Sotto doubts senators will support death penalty for plunder
Rappler|https://www.rappler.com/nation/234525-sotto-doubts-senators-will-support-death-penalty-plunder, July 03, 2019
Pacquiao wants death penalty for drug traffickers, manufacturers
The Philippine Daily Inquirer|https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1137439/pacquiao-wants-death-penalty-for-drug-traffickers-manufacturers#ixzz5sywWlrPQ , July 03, 2019
CBCP opposes Senator-elect Bato’s plan to push for the revival of death penalty
Manila Bulletin | https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/06/27/cbcp-opposes-senator-elect-batos-plan-to-push-for-the-revival-of-death-penalty/, June 27, 2019
Philippines to bring back death penalty
Gulf News, June 25, 2019
Dela Rosa firm on death penalty
Sunstar, June 23, 2019
CHR to Congress on death penalty: Let’s talk
Philippine Star, May 20, 2019
Yes to death penalty?
Business Mirror, February 04, 2019
Death for police found guilty of murder
Philippine Star, December 18, 2018
Lawmaker asks Senate to pass the death penalty bill
Manila Bulletin, November 28, 2018
Government insists on death penalty
Manila Standard, August 04, 2018
Anti-death penalty group launches handbook
Manila Bulletin, June 27, 2018
Duterte on death penalty: Its the only way to instill fear
Philippine News Agency | https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/24/17/duterte-on-death-penalty-its-the-only-way-to-instill-fear, July 24, 2017
3 Mindanawon reps lose committee chairmanship for voting “No” to death penalty
Minda News | https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2017/03/3-mindanawon-reps-lose-committee-chairmanship-for-voting-no-to-death-penalty/, March 16, 2017
Death by hanging? Pacquiao jokes, Sisipain lang po yung upuan
Rappler|https://www.rappler.com/nation/142377-senator-manny-pacquiao-death-penalty-hanging-joke, August 08, 2016

Local News

Lawmaker asks Senate to pass the death penalty bill

November 28, 2018, Manila Bulletin

Saying drug-related crimes are committed for lack of implementation of laws, the chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs appealed to the Senate to pass a measure seeking to breathe life into the death penalty.

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers made the appeal Wednesday at the resumption of the joint probe of his panel and the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability on the large-scale illegal drugs smuggling in the country.

He laments that the drug-related crimes were committed because of “the lack of implementation of the laws” and “the lack of the deterrent effect of the penalties.”

“Perhaps, it is the lack of implementation of the laws. Worse, maybe it is the lack of the deterrent effect of the penalties. I would therefore take this opportunity to appeal to the Senate to pass the death penalty bill that has been approved by this House. This is the only legislation that is apt for these crimes that keep on happening,” Barbers said.

“Death is the only language these criminals and big-time syndicates understand,” he said. He said Congress should not wait for the drug criminals and syndicates to turn the Philippines into a “narco-state” and destroy the “future of our children.”

“What are we waiting for, more deaths and crimes brought about by substance abuse, a whole nation of drug addicts, a narco-state? The future of our children is already compromised as it is. Are we waiting for them to turn addicts or victims of drug related crimes? Please listen to the deafening silence of our children,” Barbers said.

In March last year, the House of Representatives, under the leadership of former Speaker and Davao del Norte Pantaleon Alvarez, passed on third and final reading House Bill 4727 which seeks to reinstate the punishment of death for drug-related heinous crimes.

Under the bill, the death penalty shall be imposed on the following offenses: importation of dangerous drugs; sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution, and transportation of dangerous drugs; maintenance of a den, dive, or resort where any dangerous drug is used or sold; manufacture of dangerous drugs; and possession of 10 grams or more of dangerous drugs.

The death penalty shall also be enforced when the crime is committed under the influence of dangerous drugs, provided that the offense committed is punishable by reclusion temporal or 12 years and one day up to 20 years.

However, the imposition of capital punishment is not automatic, as the proposed law provides for an automatic review by the Court of Appeals or by the Supreme Court, and a majority vote is required for it to be imposed.

Moreover, death penalty shall not be imposed when the offender is below 18 years old or more than 70 years old when the crime was committed.

Full link: https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/11/28/lawmaker-asks-senate-to-pass-the-death-penalty-bill/



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