Revilla supports death penalty for drug trafficking, plunder but wants same for false accusers

Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr expressed support Tuesday on the call of President Rodrigo Duterte to reimpose death penalty on drug trafficking and plunder.

But Revilla was quick to add that death penalty should also be imposed on people who made false accusations.

“I personally support the President’s call to reinstate capital punishment for offenses related to drugs and plunder,” the senator said in a press statement.

“Dagdagan ko lang na dapat may parusa rin na kamatayan for those who falsely and maliciously accuse others of these offenses,” he added.

In December last year, the Sandiganbayan acquitted Revilla of plunder in connection with the multi-billion-peso pork barrel fund scam. 

Revilla was detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame from June 20, 2014 after the Sandiganbayan ordered his arrest until he was released last year.

He is still facing a graft case before the Sandiganbayan.

Duterte, in his fourth State of the Nation Address, reiterated his call for Congress to reimpose the death penalty for crimes related to drugs and plunder.

Revilla, meanwhile, expressed support on the measures Duterte wants to be passed.

“Sa usaping fiscal reform, buo ang suporta natin sa mga programa ng ating Pangulo, kailangan lang mabuo nang maganda ang mga gagawing polisiya,” he said.

Revilla backed the call of the President to enact the Magna Carta for Barangay Workers.

“Isa po yan sa aking legislative priorities at nagpapasalamat tayo sa pangulo sa pagiging prayoridad niya rin nito,” he said.

Revilla said he also filed bills creating Department of OFWs, Department of Disaster Management.

He said he would also push for the increase in the salary of teachers and nurses. —KG, GMA News