Arroyo commutes sentence of 1,000 death convicts to life

BAGUIO CITY - President Arroyo has ordered the death penalty of about a thousand convicts commuted to life in the spirit of Easter Sunday. In her Easter message, the President said anyone who falls and makes mistakes has a chance to stand up and correct the wrong he has committed. “As we celebrate and rejoice in Jesus’ resurrection, I wish to announce that we are changing our policy on those who have been imposed the death penalty. We are reducing their penalty to life imprisonment," the President said. She said Jesus had suffered for the redemption of mankind from sin and "we should have hope in our hearts in suffering and always stand up strong whenever we fall." "Nagdusa si Kristo upang ipakita na nagpapakasakit ang pagmamahal at tumubos ng mga kaluluwa. Dapat laging matayog ang ating mga pag-asa habang pinapasan natin ang sari-sariling krus, bumangon mula sa ating pagkakamali, at nagtutuon ng paningin sa lalong maliwanag na bukas," the President said in her Easter message. An estimated 1,000 death convicts, some of whom have been in death row for a number of years, will benefit from Mrs. Arroyo’s decision. A devout Catholic, the President declared a moratorium on the execution of death convicts when she assumed the presidency in 2001, but the rash of kidnappings and killings in 2003 prompted her to lift the moratorium. No execution was carried out under her administration. PRESIDENT ARROYO'S EASTER MESSAGE Easter Sunday completes the meaning of Christ’s death on the Cross. From our great trials flow patience and experience that, in turn, elevate the hope of salvation. Christ suffered to show us how love can endure sacrifice and redeem souls. We must keep our hopes high as we carry our own crosses, rise from our failings, and fix our sights on a brighter horizon. Our beloved bishops spoke of the people’s fear of more chaotic politics even as they struggle to make a decent living. We seek above all the nation’s salvation from poverty and discord. On the occasion of Easter, it is my honor to announce our policy to commute the death penalty to life imprisonment. This nation will prevail in the loving hands of the Almighty. Happy Easter! - OPS/GMANews.TV