Jan. 8
PHILIPPINES:
2 congressmen oppose reimposition of death penalty vs drugs
2 congressmen on Thursday voiced their opposition on the move to restore
the death penalty for drug trafficking, a proposal which is being revived
amid the controversy over the so-called "Alabang boys" case.
In a text message to the media, Isabela Rep. Rodito Albano stressed that
death penalty is not a deterrent on the proliferation of illegal drug
trade in the country.
"Bakit sa illegal drugs? Ang daming heinous crime d'yan na nangyayari na
dapat bigyan ng death penalty, bakit sa drugs (Why focus on illegal drugs?
There are other heinous crimes out there)," the solon asked.
Worse, Albano said that imposing the death penalty might even be used by
crooks in government to ask for larger bribes.
"Gagawin lang negosyo 'yan, lalong lalaki ang lalagayan. Ang kawawa yung
mga mahihirap na walang pang-areglo (It will just be used to ask for
larger bribes. Those who have no money would suffer)," Albano added.
He stressed that to win the battle against illegal drugs, all government
agencies concern should do their job well and do it honestly and with
conviction.
For his part, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman expressed the same opinion and asked
fellow lawmaker not to get emotional because of the "Alabang boys"
scandal.
"Knee-jerk reactions to the drug cases of the Alabang Boys do not justify
the reimposition of the death penalty. Sensational and sensationalized
crimes do not warrant retrieving from the legislative archives a penal
statute which is cruel and inhuman," according to the Albay
representative.
He added that police officers, investigators, prosecutors and judges must
do their jobs irrespective of the imposable penalties to crimes.
Cebu Rep. Antonio Cuenco, vice chair of the House oversight committee on
illegal drugs that probe the Alabang boys case, said he will be filing a
bill to amend part of the Revised Penal Code pertaining to members of the
judiciary who are involved in unjust decision of a case.
"We will include erring prosecutors who are not doing their job
accordingly," he said.
During the hearing, lawmakers pinned state prosecutor John Resado and
senior state prosecutor Phillip Kimpo for allegedly being inefficient when
they dismissed the drug case filed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement
Agancy (PDEA) in connection with Alabang boys controversy.
Article 204 Revised Penal Code, the provision which Cuenco wants amended,
says "Any judge who shall knowingly render an unjust judgment in any case
submitted to him for decision, shall be punished by prision mayor and
perpetual absolute disqualification."
It also provides that "temporary disqualification shall be from six years
and one day to 12 years, except when the penalty of disqualification is
imposed as an accessory penalty, in which case its duration shall be that
of the principal penalty."
"We have a very light penalty in the present law, now is the high time to
make a harsh sanction, an imprisonment of 12 to 20 years is in order,"
Cuenco said.
(source: GMA News)
