CHR on death penalty restoration: We are ready to engage Congress

The Commission on Human Rights on Sunday said they are ready to engage the incoming Congress in a frank and factual conversation on death penalty.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III earlier said that President Rodrigo Dutertes’ wish to restore the death penalty law now has a bigger chance considering that most of the senatorial candidates that he endorsed have been leading in the senate race in the recent elections.

“The Commission is ready to engage Congress in a frank and factual conversation about death penalty … We are ready to present the ineffectiveness of the death penalty…” CHR Commissioner Karen Gomez-Dumpit said in a statement.

According to Dumpit, they can also offer Congress effective programs to prevent crimes and lower crime incidence, such as more police visibility and community vigilance.

“We fully support these initiatives that do not diminish our principles to uphold the right to life,” she said.

She also reminded the people in the government that the country has legal obligations, being part of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Second Optional Protocol aiming at the abolition of the death penalty.

“As a state-party to these human rights treaties, we have perpetually committed not to impose nor reintroduce capital punishment.”

Dumpit clarified that their opposition against the restoration of death penalty does not mean they want criminals to go unpunished.

“However, the apprehension, prosecution, conviction and punishment of those who have committed wrongdoings must be in accordance with human rights standards and principles,” she said.

In 2006, then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed  Republic Act No. 9346 or "An Act Prohibiting the Imposition of Death Penalty in the Philippines," which repealed Republic Act 7659 or the Death Penalty Law. —Joviland Rita/LBG, GMA News