‘Puwede multi-tasking’: Bato says pandemic should not stop Senate from discussing death penalty

Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa on Wednesday said the COVID-19 pandemic should not hinder the Senate from discussing the death penalty for drug traffickers, which was mentioned by President Rodrigo Duterte during his fifth State of the Nation Address.

During the interpellation on Dela Rosa's privilege speech airing support for the reimposition of death penalty for drug traffickers, opposition Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan stressed that pushing for capital punishment will not solve the immediate pandemic issues in the country.

"Number one priority pa rin natin ang COVID-19 but Mr. President, with all due respect, itong ating Senado naman ay puwede mag-multi-tasking. Hindi naman ibig sabihin na stuck tayo sa ibang gagawin, focus tayo sa COVID-19," Dela Rosa said in response.

The pro-administration senator underscored that the Senate already passed the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act and the Bayanihan to Recover as One bill.

"It [COVID-19] doesn't stop us from performing our mandate na gumawa ng batas pertaining to other pressing issues. Hindi po ako sang-ayon na hihinto na lang tayo. Hihinto ang pag-ikot ng Senado dahil sa COVID-19," Dela Rosa said.

Pangilinan said he appreciates that the neophyte lawmaker acknowledged the weight of the COVID-19 issue.

Dela Rosa also pointed out that Pangilinan should have voted yes to Bayanihan 2 if he is really concerned about the well-being of the public.

"Kung gusto mo talaga na matulungan ang ating mga kababayan para makabangon dito sa pandemyang ating kinakaharap, sana tayo lahat ay bumoto doon sa Bayanihan 2 na 'yun dahil 'yan talaga ang purpose ng Bayanihan 2 na 'yun, para makabangon ang Pilipinas," he said.

"Ipinaliwanag naman natin kahapon ang dahilan ng ating pagboto... so palagay ko on record na 'yun," Pangilinan replied.

Pangilinan voted against the passage of the Bayanihan 2 on third reading at the Senate on Tuesday due to his objection to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III's remaining in his post.

Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, another pro-administration lawmaker, also expressed support for the revival of death penalty.

"In addition to the strengthened campaign of law enforcers to eradicate illegal drugs and criminality, reimposing the death penalty can be a strong deterrent for the commission of heinous crimes," he said.

Senator Manny Pacquiao again opined that capital punishment is biblical.

"Hindi po labag sa mata ng gobyerno, sa mata ng Panginoon dahil biblically po, allowed po ang gobyerno—the authority which is established by God—to impose death penalty [for heinous crimes]," he said.

Hearings on death penalty bills

There are currently 10 pending death penalty bills in the upper chamber that were all referred to the Senate committee on justice.

Dela Rosa volunteered to lead the subcommittee hearings on the matter but Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri pointed out that a non-member of the justice committee could not do that.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian gave up his membership so that Dela Rosa could be a part of the committee. The latter was officially elected a member during the session.

Panel chair Richard Gordon, on the other hand, said he can still conduct the hearings on the pending bills "at the proper time" but he will not sponsor the measure because he does not believe in death penalty. — BM, GMA News