Bong Go files bill imposing the death penalty for drugs, plunder

Neophyte Senator Christopher "Bong" Go on Tuesday filed a bill seeking the reimposition of the death penalty for heinous crimes involving dangerous drugs, as well as for plunder.

Senate Bill 207 will amend Section 1 of Republic Act 9346 or an Act Prohibiting the Imposition of Death Penalty to read: “The imposition of the penalty of death is hereby prohibited except for crimes specified under Republic Act 9165, otherwise know as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and Section 12 of Republic Act 7659.”

In the explanatory note, Go said the proliferation of heinous crimes had ignited the call for a tough and definitive stance against crimes that have plagued the security and development of the nation.

“The crippling problems brought about by dangerous drugs and corruption must be answered with a firm and decisive solution,” he said.

“Due to their pervasive nature and the impunity with which criminals operate, these crimes must be met with a punishment based not only on deterrence, but also on retribution, to leave no doubt that there can never be any gain for anyone who chooses to commit these heinous crimes,” he added.

Go argued that under the Constitution, the death penalty was reserved for the most heinous crimes and the time had come to revive it.

“We must recognize the need to take a harder stance against these pervasive evils and impose the most extreme form of punishment, reserved only for the most evil of crimes,” claimed Go. — DVM, GMA News