Death Penalty in the Philippines - Anti-Poor?
All of us may have mixed opinions about the death penalty on different grounds. Some frowned in favor of their religious beliefs and some approved with the belief that it can deter crimes.
Below is an encapsulated history of Death Penalty in the Philippines:
During the Spanish era, the most common method of executions was shooting by the firing squad. The electric chair was introduced in the Philippines during the colonial administration of the United States. Some of the capital crimes were murder, rape and treason. Drug trafficking became punishable by death only during the administration of President Marcos.
In 1986, the new drafted constitution prohibited the death penalty except for certain crimes. That meant, in effect, that it was abolished totally and made Philippines the first Asian country to do so.
In response to the increasing crime rates, President Fidel V. Ramos reintroduced the death penalty. The lay provided the use of electric chair until the gas chamber could be installed.
The first execution by injection took place under President Joseph Estrada. Pres. Estrada called a moratorium in 2000 to honor the bimillenial anniversary of Jesus' birth. Executions were resumed a year later.
Capital punishment was re-abolished via Republic Act No. 9346, which was signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on June 24, 2006.
I care less about death penalty but the conviction rating of the cases filed. How many were convicted of a heinous crime here in the Philippines? If there are, who are those convicted? Out of the very few rich and famous persons convicted, how long did it take and how many were given amnesty?
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As a Christian and a Filipino pastor, if there is a move for restoring the death penalty in our nation if for one will favor it. I even asked my self, "what does it take to restore death penalty in our country? Would a plebiscite will do it?" Murder, rape, drug trafficking and its related crimes, graft and corruption and other sins of an elected/appointed/hired public servant/official/employees and even national insurgency can even be added to what already is punishable by death penalty. Those who are convicted but in the eyes of God are innocent, can rest assured that-though the government authorities may sometimes err or can be circumvented by the powers that are who seem to be they have absolute power to corrupt- God the Judge of all the earth will see to it that the guilt/crime of the guilty will be exacted from them. Those who are guilty in the eyes of God and men and are convicted of death penalty will have to opportunity to face the reality of life, to turn away from evil and to seek God and his forgiveness and He his divine works to save is never limited. Death penalty can end his physical life but can also save his body, soul and spirit unto everlasting life. This will also help our people not to engage in such sins if they want to live longer and enjoy life with their loved ones.
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