De Guzman says death penalty not a deterrent; Gadon says imprisonment not enough

Death penalty is never a deterrent against crime, senatorial candidate Leody de Guzman said as he defended his stand against the capital punishment during Debate 2019, the GMA senatorial face-off aired Saturday evening.

“Ako ay tutol na ibalik ang parusang kamatayan sa bansa. Iyan ay napagpasyahan na ng sambayanang Filipino na walang death penalty at nakasulat sa Konstitusyon. At hindi ‘yan nakakaresolba ng problema ng kriminalidad,” De Guzman said in a face-off with aspirant lawyer Larry Gadon.

He said the problem with criminality was not resolved even after the execution of Leo Echagaray, who was convicted of rape.

“Marami na tayong halimbawa na mga pinarusahan na pinatay katulad ni Leo Echegaray pero hindi naresolba ang problema ng kriminalidad. May malalim na pinag-uugatan ang krimen sa lipunan. Ang kailangan ay magkaroon ng pare-rehabilitate, kung hindi ma-rehabilitate ay ikulong,” he asid.

Gadon, who is in favor of the reimposition of death penalty, insisted that it is a form of getting justice for the victims and their families.

“Dapat lamang na ibalik ang death penalty sapagkat ‘yung mga karumal-dumal na krimen ay kinakailangan ring sugpuin at paano mo ipapaliwanag sa mga magulang na ang kanilang mga anak ay ginahasa, pinatay, kinatay ang katawan, at itinapon ang katawan kung saan-saang parte,” he said.

He said imprisonment is not enough to compensate the victims of heinous crimes.

“Masakit na isipin na ang may kagagawan ng krimen na ‘yan ikukulong lang. Kaya kinakailangang siya ay patawan ng  parusang  kamatayan. Ang kamatayan na sinasabi nila ay dapat Diyos lamang ang nakakaalam eh ang  batas ng tao ay boses din ng Diyos, ang boses ng tao ay boses din ng Diyos,” he said.

He cited Singapore and Saudi Arabia as among the countries where crime rates are low because of death penalty.

“Sa Singapore, napakababa ng crime rate, sa Saudi Arabia, napakababa ng crime rate. Walang halos heinous crime d’un na nababasa natin dito, takot ang mga tao,” he said.

Gadon asked De Guzman what should be done to recidivists or those who cannot be rehabilitated and commit crimes after they were released from jail.

De Guzman said they should be punished with life imprisonment.

“Kung ang gusto niya ay sa loob ng kulungan, manatili siya sa loob ng kulungan pang habambuhay pero hindi  dapat siyang  kitilan ng buhay.  Iwasan natin ang kulturang impunidad sa ating bayan.  Kailangang respetuhin ang buhay bilang tao at ikulong na lang kung kinakailangan,” he said. —LDF, GMA News