Rep. Velasco to ‘pursue’ death penalty in new term

Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco

MANILA, Philippines — Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, a contender for the House speakership, said on Tuesday he would pursue the reimposition of death penalty during his new term as a lawmaker.

“Honestly, I would take a second look at the death penalty. I’d pursue it mainly because I think it would be a good deterrent,” Velasco said in an interview over ABS CBN News Channel when asked if he would re-visit the death penalty bill.

He said he would push for the reimposition of capital punishment for crimes involving drugs and rape.

“I’d pass the death penalty for those involved in drugs and those involved in rape. Just those two crimes,” the lawmaker said.

Former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, who filed the death penalty bill before the lower chamber of Congress, said he would refile the death penalty bill.

READ: Alvarez not giving up on death penalty, divorce bills

Among other bills that Velasco said he would also re-visit is the bill that seeks to legalize absolute divorce and dissolution of marriage in the country.

He said he voted for it when the bill was approved in the House of Representatives on third and final reading last year.

READ: House approves divorce bill on 3rd and final reading

Meanwhile, the House will still “have to talk about” the proposal to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR), Velasco said.

He said he agrees with the proposal to lower the MACR to 12 years old, not nine.

“I would stand at 12 [years old] because nine [years old] is just too young to say that the child already has a criminal mind,” the lawmaker said.

The House earlier approved on third and final reading the bill seeking to lower MACR to 12 years old. (Editor: Julie Espinosa)

READ: House OKs on final reading bill lowering age of criminal responsibility to 12