De Lima stresses prosecution, judicial reforms – not death penalty – needed in PH
Published Apr 29, 2019 08:56 pm
By Vanne Elaine Terrazola
Senator Leila de Lima on Monday urged her colleagues in Congress to address the country's problem with criminality by pushing for bills on prosecution and judicial reforms.
Senator Leila de Lima (REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco / MANILA BULLETIN)
De Lima made the appeal as she maintained her opposition to the proposed revival of the death penalty in the Philippines, specifically for heinous crimes.
The lawyer and human rights advocate said the "oft-repeated" calls to reinstate capital punishment, "and to equate death with justice is a patently fallacious and iniquitous way” of dealing with the issue.
"Criminality is a more complex and nuanced matter than politicians will care to admit. The problem requires a multi-dimensional and multi-level approach considering how aggravating and aggravated the situation is," de Lima said.
"Politicians will try to pander with tough talks and promises of harsh punishment against criminals. However, they are all cheap and meaningless if they do not translate to actual arrests, prosecutions, and convictions,” she added.
The bill reinstating the death penalty for drug-related offenses has been approved on third and final reading in the House of Representatives.
Its counterpart in Senate, however, has yet to be discussed at the committee level since senators, including allies of the President, have shown reservations on the proposal.
De Lima, for her part, said she was against the imposition of the death penalty because “all too often, we have seen convictions reversed years later after pieces of evidence have surfaced that would exonerate the accused."
She noted the Supreme Court acknowledged in July 2004 that the majority of trial courts had committed "errors" and wrongfully sentenced the death penalty during the time it was sanctioned.
She reiterated that the imposition of the death penalty "only targets people from poor families and often saves the rich and powerful."
De Lima said Congress should legislate measures that will provide for a more effective justice system.
Capital punishment was reimposed under the administration than President Fidel Ramos, until it was abolished in 2006, under the term of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Senator Leila de Lima (REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco / MANILA BULLETIN)
De Lima made the appeal as she maintained her opposition to the proposed revival of the death penalty in the Philippines, specifically for heinous crimes.
The lawyer and human rights advocate said the "oft-repeated" calls to reinstate capital punishment, "and to equate death with justice is a patently fallacious and iniquitous way” of dealing with the issue.
"Criminality is a more complex and nuanced matter than politicians will care to admit. The problem requires a multi-dimensional and multi-level approach considering how aggravating and aggravated the situation is," de Lima said.
"Politicians will try to pander with tough talks and promises of harsh punishment against criminals. However, they are all cheap and meaningless if they do not translate to actual arrests, prosecutions, and convictions,” she added.
The bill reinstating the death penalty for drug-related offenses has been approved on third and final reading in the House of Representatives.
Its counterpart in Senate, however, has yet to be discussed at the committee level since senators, including allies of the President, have shown reservations on the proposal.
De Lima, for her part, said she was against the imposition of the death penalty because “all too often, we have seen convictions reversed years later after pieces of evidence have surfaced that would exonerate the accused."
She noted the Supreme Court acknowledged in July 2004 that the majority of trial courts had committed "errors" and wrongfully sentenced the death penalty during the time it was sanctioned.
She reiterated that the imposition of the death penalty "only targets people from poor families and often saves the rich and powerful."
De Lima said Congress should legislate measures that will provide for a more effective justice system.
Capital punishment was reimposed under the administration than President Fidel Ramos, until it was abolished in 2006, under the term of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.