Death by firing squad, hanging  unconstitutional – Sotto

MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III rejected on Wednesday the proposal to impose death penalty either by firing squad or hanging for being unconstitutional.

Two proponents of the proposed reimposition of the death penalty —neophyte Senator  Ronald  “Bato” Dela Rosa and Senator Manny Pacquiao—  have openly pushed for firing squad if the measure is enacted into law.

READ: Bato wants public execution of drug traffickers by musketry

For high – level drug trafficking, Pacquiao said the death penalty should be imposed by firing squad and lethal injection for plunderers.

Sotto, Dela Rosa and Pacquiao are among the senators, who have filed a death penalty measure.

READ: Pacquiao wants firing squad for drug crimes, injection for plunder

“Hindi pwede, unconstitutional lahat yun,” he  said in an interview over DZBB on Wednesday.

“Sapagkat nakalagay sa Constitution, hindi pwede ang hindi humane penalty. Hindi humane lahat yun.  It does not fall under the category of humane.”

The only humane penalty, which he said had already been brought before the Supreme Court, is to impose death by lethal injection.

“Yun (lethal injection) lang ang pwede,”   Sotto said.

President Rodrigo Duterte, during his State of the Nation Address, has called for the passage of the death penalty bill for heinous crimes related to illegal drugs and plunder.

While Sotto expects lengthy debates in the Senate, he still believes the measure could still get the support of 13 to 14 or majority of the 24 senators.

Should it fail to get Congress’ approval, Sotto said he would revive his measure that would establish a national penitentiary for high level drug traffickers.

“Ihihiwalay natin sila (drug traffickers),” he pointed out.

But for now, Sotto said they would push for the reimposition of the death penalty since many Filipinos, including the President, are clamoring for it. / gsg