Pacquiao backs reimposition of death penalty

Boxing champion and Sen. Manny Pacquiao on Monday delivered his first privilege speech as a senator, throwing support behind the reimposition of the death penalty.

In his speech, Pacquiao said he has filed Senate Bill No. 185 or "An act to impose the Death Penalty and increased penalties on certain heinous crimes involving dangerous drugs, amending for that purpose other special penal laws, and for other purposes."

Pacquiao insisted that the death penalty is lawful, moral and a sanctioned government action.

"The death penalty was never abolished kaya dapat natin linawin na mula noon hanggang ngayon, hindi pinagbabawal sa Saligang Batas ang parusang kamatayan ... lalung-lalo na sa mata ng ating Panginoon," said Pacqiao before reciting Bible verses.

Among the Bible verse he read out were Genesis 9:6, Exodus, 21:12, and Romans 13:4.

"Wala tayong dapat ikatakot sa death penalty dahil ito ay para lamang sa mga taong walang habas gumawa ng karumal-dumal na krimen," said the neophyte senator.

Pacquiao said between drug users and drug traffickers, the case of the latter is "more alarming" because more than to drugs, they are addicted to wealth.

"Sa death penalty for drug traffickers, kakampi po natin dito sinumang Juan dela Cruz at lahat ng Pilipino na sumusunod sa batas at gumagalang sa karapatan," he said.

Pacquiao, however, clarified that while the Philippines should put more teeth in the law penalizing drug related activities, the rights of suspects to a fair trial should never be disregarded.

Drug-affected

In his speech, Pacquiao cited 2015 data from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency showing that 11,309 out of 42,029 barangays nationwide or 26.91 percent are considered drug-affected.

As of June 2016, 1,577 out of 1,706 barangays are drug-affected in Metro Manila, added Pacquiao.

During interpellation, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima told Pacquiao of her "passionate and strong" opposition to the reimposition of the death penalty.

De Lima asked Pacquiao if he would also consider pushing for death penalty for plunderers, to which the boxing champion said: "Paisa-isa dapat... Unahin po muna siguro natin itong (drug problem)."

Asked by Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III which type of death penalty he prefers, Pacquiao said hanging and firing squad. Pacquiao added in jest: "Sisipain lang ang upuan eh (sa hanging)."

Sen. Francis Pangilinan would later call on Pacquiao's attention, appealing that humorous remarks should not be made regarding issues as serious as the illegal drug trade problem.

Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros noted how Pacquiao supports the death penalty when he himself was among those who paid a visit to death row convict and alleged drug mule Mary Jane Veloso in Indonesia. — RSJ, GMA News