Duterte nixes move to lower plunder threshold from P50M to P10M

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte  ALBERT ALCAIN/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte rejected Thursday the move to lower the threshold amount to commit plunder from P50 million to P10 million.

In his fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona), Duterte said he wanted the reimposition of the death penalty for illegal drugs and plunder.

READ: Duterte reiterated push for death penalty 

Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go earlier filed a bill seeking to reinstate the death penalty on heinous crimes like plunder.

READ: Go files bill restoring death penalty for heinous crimes

“Ang una, Bong, he wants the death penalty for plunder. I am for it. Kung wala kang, wala kang plunder, threshold is P 50 million. He wants me to announce here, wala naman plunderer dito,” Duterte said in a speech during the inauguration of a bypass road in Candon City in Ilocos Sur.

Go wanted to lower the plunder threshold from P50 million to P10 million.

But Duterte wanted the threshold to remain at P50 million.

“Anyway we’re doing our best. Bong wants plunder yung P 50 million, I think, if I may just… Masyadong, P10 million is too ano, P10 million… P 50 million siguro,” he said.

The President reiterated his desire to reinstate the death penalty for illegal drugs and plunder.

“Death penalty for plunder saka drugs. I am for it. If you are not a plunderer if you do not have the money in the bank, why should you be afraid? P 50 million, tama yan, plunder,” he said.

He also said in jest that he prefers death by hanging.

READ: Duterte might prefer use of rope for low-cost death penalty 

“Ako naman ang aking take diyan is ayaw kong magsayang ng bala, mahal ng isang bala ng M 16. Siguro mga, P 70 yan. So sabi ko yung lubid na lang ng gawa ng La Union kasi talagang, ano bang ginagamit nyo dito. So yan ho. Pabiro na, a few thoughts exchanged between you and me,” he said./ac