"We uphold the principle of life for life. The punishment must fit the crime. The penalty must be commensurate to the gravity of the offense,’’ the PCEC said as it upheld its 1999 statement.

For instance, the group said massacre of civilians must be punishable by death since it is very much unlike petty theft or armed robbery which can be punishable by prison terms.

The group said it believes that a man who takes the life of another forfeits his own life.

However, the PCEC said it agrees with those who said that even hardened criminals deserve a chance to be rehabilitated for them to become law-abiding citizens and that the penal system should deter people from committing crimes. But this will only work when the system of justice in the country is effective and fair, the group said.

PCEC said it is recommending the following to the government:

First, retain the law imposing the death penalty for certain crimes particularly the crimes that caused the loss of people’s lives.

Second, improve the justice system in the land by making it clear to criminals that crime does not pay.

Lastly, let President Arroyo exercise the prerogative of commuting sentences or granting pardon or acts of mercy. But it should be made clear that the President is not making a judicial review of what the Supreme Court has already decided with finality, the group said.