Duterte wants plunder threshold to remain at P50 million

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday rejected suggestions to lower the P50-million threshold for plunder, a non-bailable offense which the chief executive wants to be punishable by death.

Duterte gave the statement after his former top aide and now Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said he was open to lowering the threshold amount to P10 million.

"Bong wants plunder. ‘Yung P50 million I think, Bong is if I may just… Masyadong P10 million is too ano. P10 million now is… P50 million siguro," the President said in a speech in Candon City, Ilocos Sur.

"Death penalty for plunder at saka drugs. I am for it. If you are not a plunderer, if you do not have the money in the bank, why should you be afraid? ‘Yung 50 tama ‘yan, plunder."

Duterte earlier asked Congress to reimpose the death penalty for crimes related to illegal drugs and plunder.

He also said that he prefers death penalty by hanging.

"Ako naman, ang aking take diyan is ayaw kong magsayang ng bala. Mahal ‘yang isang bala ng M16. Siguro mga 70 pesos ‘yan. So sabi ko ‘yung lubid na lang, ‘yung gawa ng La Union," he said.

The death penalty was abolished during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, a key Duterte ally, in 2006.

The House of Representatives in the 17th Congress approved on third and final reading the death penalty bill, but it did not make significant progress in the Senate.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senator Aquilino Pimentel III said on Monday that the proposal would have a bigger chance of approval if it will be limited to drug trafficking.

They said the proposed measure might face opposition if it will include other crimes. —LDF, GMA News