Death penalty proposed for illegal drugs-related cases

The bill to restore the death penalty has been filed on Friday by Muntinlupa Rep. Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon, Rowena Salvacion reported for Super Radyo's dzBB.

The proposal aims to restore the death penalty under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The explanatory note of Biazon's proposal states that, “The impunity by which criminals carry on with their dastardly acts makes it appear as if we are not a nation of laws.”

“We are confronted almost every day by reports in the tri-media of children still learning how to walk being raped or of senior citizens who are in their twilight years being bludgeoned to death right in their very own homes... These barbaric acts are, more often than not, committed by the perpetrators under the influence of drugs.”

Biazon noted that the 1987 Constitution contains a provision against the imposition of the death penalty, “unless for compelling reasons.”

He added that Republic Act 7659 imposed the death penalty for cases identified as heinous crimes, including murder.

Moreover, RA 9165 includes a provision on the imposition as “extreme penalty of death for illegal drug traffickers and their cohorts.”

Another piece of legislation, RA 9346 that prohibits the imposition of death penalty in the country that was signed into law in June 2006 by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Biazon said the menace of the illegal drug trade is unabated despite government efforts.

“Our own experience has shown that incarceration does not deter one who is convicted of drug trafficking from committing the same crime. There have been instances where the convicted trafficker continues to deal in the illegal drug trade even behind bars,” he added.

He said the Constitution provides flexibility for Congress to impose the death penalty “under certain circumstances and based on the current wisdom of the times.”

“This is to put back into the consciousness of those involved in the illegal drugs trade that the ultimate punishment of death awaits them should they continue with their nefarious acts.” —Bernadette A. Parco/KG, GMA News