MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday slammed President Rodrigo Duterte’s proposal to revive the death penalty amid the coronavirus pandemic gripping the country.
On Twitter, the senator lambasted the president’s supposed misplaced priorities, pointing out that the reimposition of the capital punishment would not eradicate the COVID-19 crisis.
Sa gitna ng napakalaking krisis ay naisipan pa talaga ng Pangulo na isulong ang death penalty?
Prayoridad dapat natin ngayon ang ekonomiya, tulong sa mga nawalan ng trabaho, at pagpapalakas ng ating health programs laban sa COVID-19.
— risa hontiveros (@risahontiveros) July 28, 2020
“I can’t believe I need to say this: pero hindi po solusyon sa pandemya ang death penalty,” Hontiveros wrote on Twitter Tuesday.
(I can’t believe I need to say this: but the death penalty is not a solution to the pandemic)
The senator aired her disappointment over what she said was the lack of attention government is giving to the most pressing matter the country is facing — the COVID-19 crisis.
The government should get its head in the game and focus on the biggest crisis we are facing now. Sobrang nagseselos na ang COVID-19 kasi kung saan-saan na napunta ang atensyon ng gobyerno.
I can’t believe I need to say this:pero hindi po solusyon sa pandemya ang death penalty.
— risa hontiveros (@risahontiveros) July 28, 2020
“The government should get its head in the game and focus on the biggest crisis we are facing now. Sobrang nagseselos na ang COVID-19 kasi kung saan-saan na napunta ang atensyon ng gobyerno,” she further said.
(The COVID-19 is getting really jealous because the government’s attention is nowhere to be found)
The senator also underscored the need to prioritize the economy, relief efforts for those who lost their jobs, and the strengthening of health programs in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his penultimate SONA, Duterte called for the “swift passage” of the law that will revive the death penalty through lethal injection.
Meanwhile, the Commission of Human Rights said the President’s call to reimpose capital punishment in the country contradicts his statement about putting human lives above all and the government’s obligation towards human rights.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III, meanwhile, said he sees a “better chance” for the revival of the death penalty as the President wants it to focus on crimes under the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (Jim Mendoza, Trainee)