MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE 2) A bill reimposing the death penalty is being revived at the Senate by its author, Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri.

The measure is known as Senate Bill 2322 known as “An Act Reimposing the Penalty of Death on Certain Heinous Crimes Amending for the Purpose Certain Sections of the Revised Penal Code as Amended for Other Purposes.”

But Senators Manuel “Mar” Roxas and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan opposed the return of capital punishment.

Roxas said the revival of the issue was a "knee-jerk reaction" to the controversy.

"Our problem is not in the punishment. Our problem is in apprehension, prosecution, and justice system. Even if you push for death penalty, that is not a deterrent because these criminals are not caught and even if they are, there are justice officials who intervene so that they can be freed. Justice can be bought in our country,” Roxas said in Filipino.

"So para sa akin, hindi importante yang death penalty [So, as far as I’m concerned, death penalty isn’t important]. Ang makakatulong sa drugs at sa iba pang problema sa justice system is an effective and efficient judicial system [What can help the fight against drugs and other problems in the justice system is an effective and efficient judicial system]," he said.

Roxas doubts if a measure proposing a return of the capital punishment could get the support from the Senate.

Pangilinan also opposed the proposal, saying that reimposing the death penalty would not solve the problem of drug trafficking in the country.

"It isn't the harshness or severity of punishment but the certainty of punishment that will make would be criminals think twice before committing illegal acts," Pangilinan said in a statement.

"Besides, if we impose the death penalty in a system that is vulnerable to bribery and corruption then we increase chances of putting to death the innocent while the guilty go scot-free, thanks to bribery and corruption," he said.

The senator then saw the need for a strong institutional response from the justice system.

"We need sweeping reforms in the justice system and we need them now. We should begin by increasing the budget of the judiciary and the justice department particularly the national prosecution service," he further said.