Escudero, Casiño oppose death penalty revival

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Teddy Casino. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Death penalty should not be revived.

That was the stand of Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Teddy Casino when asked Thursday about calls to revive the death penalty.

Demands for its reinstatement are made periodically by various sectors, especially whenever high-profile crimes make headlines, but these are met with resistance by the Church and humanitarian organizations.

Cries to reinstate the death sentence grew louder after the gruesome killing of a 20-year-old cum laude from the University of Sto. Tomas in Cavite recently.

“I’m against it. I’m one of those who voted in 1998 to repeal the death penalty,” said Escudero, citing the country’s imperfect justice system.

Republic Act 7659 or the Death Penalty Law was repealed by Republic Act 9346 or the Law Prohibiting the Imposition of Death Penalty in the Philippines. Under the law, those convicted of heinous crimes shall be meted with the penalty of reclusion perpetua or imprisonment of up to 40 years and will not be eligible for parole.

Escudero said he would only be for the death penalty at a time when the justice system can ensure that only those who truly committed gruesome crimes would be put to death.

“I don’t’ see the need to end somebody’s life if our justice system is flawed,” said the senator.

Casino agreed, saying the Makabayan bloc at the House of Representatives believes that the death penalty should not be revived.

MTRCB chairperson Grace Poe-Llamanzares holds the same view, stressing the country lacked measures to prevent crimes and rehabilitate those involved in wrongdoing.