Death penalty
WITH the continued commission of heinous crimes, those running for public office in next year’s polls would do well to declare their stand on the return of death penalty in the country.
Highly controversial, the proposed reimposition of the death penalty in this predominantly Christian country in the Asia-Pacific region is a major election issue, according to observers.
The main argument against the proposal has always been its supposed bias against the poor, who comprise the bulk of the nation’s more than 110 million population, the observers added.
According to these observers, including newspapermen, impoverished suspects are not in a position to hire the services of brilliant private lawyers to defend themselves in court.
“Talagang nakakaawa ang mga mahihirap. Kung minsan pa nga ay hindi makalabas sa kulungan ang isang mahirap na akusado dahil wala itong pang-piyansa,” a fisher lamented.
Those batting for the return of capital punishment said that many politicians may skirt the issue, fearing condemnation by religious leaders and human rights advocates.
But pro-life Filipinos, many of them poor farmers and fishermen across the country, said the proposed reimposition of death penalty should not enjoy public support.
The approach, they said, should be reform, believing that “puede pang magbago ang isang makasalanang tao.”
Other Filipinos share the view of some quarters that allowing the legal murder of people who commit heinous crimes, like rape, is not the answer to our problems in the country.
It’s certainly time to discuss the pros and cons of the proposed return of the death penalty as the May 9, 2022 presidential, congressional, regional and local elections approach.
