President Arroyo signed into law yesterday Republic Act 9346 abolishing the death penalty in the country and commuting to reclusion perpetua all death sentences handed down by the courts.

Mrs. Arroyo called the signing of RA 9346, or the Act Prohibiting the Imposition of the Death Penalty in the Philippines, "as a celebration of life in the most meaningful way by gathering our institutions together to repeal the death penalty."

"I appreciate the enthusiasm of Congress in expressing the moral and spiritual force of the Filipino in this law. I thank the Church for the beacon of grace and discernment. When I meet the Holy Father soon in the Vatican, I shall tell him that we have acted in the name of life for a world of peace," Mrs. Arroyo said in her speech at the signing ceremony in Malacañang.

RA 9346 prohibits the imposition of the death penalty, and replaces all death sentences handed down by the courts with reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment.

The law provides that "persons convicted of offenses punished with reclusion perpetua, or whose sentences will be reduced to reclusion perpetua, by reason of this Act, shall not be eligible for parole," though it had preserved the President’s prerogative to grant executive clemency.

Mrs. Arroyo said that the abolition of the death penalty will not result in higher crime rates in the country as she exhorted law enforcement authorities and the courts to implement a faster and more efficient administration of justice as a deterrent to crimes.

"I allay the concerns of those who think that the abolition of the death penalty opens the floodgates for heinous acts. We shall continue to devote the increasing weight of our resources to the prevention and control of serious crimes, rather than take the lives of those who commit them," Mrs. Arroyo said.

"I call on the entire criminal justice system to take stock of the responsibility of sharpening the law and justice for all," she added.

Members of the diplomatic corps, led by Papal Nuncio Archbishop Fernando Filoni, lauded Mrs. Arroyo and Congress for enacting the law repealing the death penalty in the country.

"I think this is a very important step in showing that the culture of life is present in this country. Today, we congratulate them because we cannot speak of upholding human rights when the death penalty is imposed," Filoni said.

Filoni attended the ceremonial signing in Malacañang, along with other Western ambassadors and diplomats.

Several members of the Senate and the House of Representatives also attended the ceremony, including Speaker Jose De Venecia, and Representatives Edcel Lagman and Loretta Rosales.

Senate President Franklin Drilon, a staunch critic of the administration, was conspicuously absent, though the Senate was represented by Senate President Pro Tempore Juan Flavier and Senate Majority Floor Leader Francis Pangilinan.

The President’s policy against the imposition of the death penalty is widely supported by the Catholic Church, but anti-crime groups have denounced her administration’s efforts to repeal the death penalty law.

President leaves for Europe today; will meet Pope

By GENALYN D. KABILING

Fully recuperated from stomach troubles caused by stress, President Arroyo will embark today on a hectic seven-day visit to two countries in Europe and the Vatican with religious and economic goals on the agenda.

The President will travel to the Vatican, the Republic of Italy, and the Kingdom of Spain with First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and a 54man official delegation of Cabinet members, legislators, and other members of the First Family in tow.

"The objective of the visit is to reinvigorate and strengthen our bilateral relation with three of the Philippines’ most important partners in Europe," Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said in a text message.

The President and her official party will take a long flight to Rome, Italy at 10 a.m. today aboard a chartered Philippine Airlines flight from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2.

The departure to Europe was originally slated for Saturday night but was delayed by a day after the President was hospitalized with acute diarrhea. She was released early Saturday.

A busy schedule lies ahead for the President in her three-state European swing, which includes meetings with Pope Benedict XVI, Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain and Spanish President Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.

Based on her revised itinerary, the President will travel to the Holy See for a private audience with the Pope, whom she will inform about the abolition of capital punishment in the country.

"The Vatican visit will be an opportunity for President Arroyo to meet Pope Benedict XVI for the first time and to reaffirm the special ties with Vatican," Bunye said.

The President will also meet with Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano, also dean of the College of Cardinals in the Roman Catholic Church, followed by a visit to the Basilica Crypt of Pope John Paul II at the St. Peter’s Basilica.

Scrapped from the President’s schedule was a meeting with the Filipino community and a mass at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome scheduled on Sunday.

In Rome, the President will hold bilateral talks with newly installed Italian leaders, President Giorgio Napolitano and Prime Minister Romano Prodi about possible expansion of trade and investments.

"In her meetings, not only will she seek to establish rapport with the new Italian government, she will also try to increase economic links through more trade, investments and tourism, also further our cultural bridges," Bunye said.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1947, the Philippines and Italy have forged several agreements on trade, defense, development cooperation, culture, science and technology.

In 2005, Italy was ranked the seventh largest trading partner of the Philippines among European nations. The balance of trade has been in Italy’s favor but this has declined to $ 11 million in 2005 from million in 2002.

From Italy, the President will fly to nearby Madrid, Spain, to meet with King Juan Carlos I and other Spanish government leaders and businessmen, as well as the Filipino community.

"The thrust of the Madrid visit is also highly economic. She will seek Spanish investments in alternative energy, information and communications technology, infrastructure, tourism development," Bunye said.

The President will also thank the Italian and Spanish governments for their "kind and generous treatment" of Filipino workers, Bunye added.

Upon arrival in Madrid, the President will visit the Congreso de los Diputados (Congress of Deputies and Senate of Spain) and the Ayuntamiento de Madrid.

Arroyo will also offer a wreath at the Rizal Monument, a replica of the shrine in Luneta, at the Santander Park in Madrid and will later have a luncheon meeting with the officers and members of the Confederation of Employers and Industries of Spain.

During her stay in Spain, the President will hold meetings with former Spanish President Jose Maria Aznar, Partido Popular president Mariano Rajoy, business magnate Ruiz Mateos, and officials of the Union Fenosa, the third largest power utility company in Spain.

Arroyo’s visit to Spain coincides with the 4th anniversary of Fil-Hispano Friendship Day on June 30 and the celebration of Philippine-Spanish cultural year 2006.

Aside from the First Gentleman, the President will also be accompanied by her daughter Evangeline Lourdes, son Diosdado and his wife Maria Victoria, and granddaughter Eva Victoria.

Supreme Court Justice Artemio Panganiban, Philippine Ambassador Joseph Bernardo, Senators Edgardo Angara and Miriam Santiago are also joining the trip.

Cabinet members in the official delegation are Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas, Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz Jr., Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye, National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, Government Mass Media group head Cerge Remonde.

Other government executives in the delegation are Deputy Executive Secretary for administration and finance Susana Vargas, Presidential Protocol chief Marciano Paynor Jr., National Historical Institute chairman Lamberto Ocampo, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration chief Marianito Roque, Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Florante Soriquez.

Lawmakers in the list are Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III, Pampanga Rep. Jesus Reynaldo Aquino, Iloilo Rep. Arthur Defensor, Marikina Rep. Del De Guzman, Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Cecilia Carreon, Laguna Rep. Uliran Joaquin, Batangas Rep. Hermilando Mandanas, Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado, Bulacan Rep. Lorna Silverio, Quezon City Rep. Mary Ann Susano, North Cotabato Rep. Emmylou Talino Santos, Leyte Rep. Eduardo Veloso and Occidental Mindoro Rep. Amelita Villarosa.

The five House members who will bring along their spouses in the trip are Pampanga Rep. Francisco Nepomuceno and wife Regina; Nueva Ecija Rep. Rodolfo Antonino and wife Rosa Marina; Batangas Rep. Victoria Reyes and husband, Rodrigo; Masbate Rep. Rizalina Seachon-Lanete and husband Joshur Judd Lanete, Bukidnon Rep. Juan Miguel Zubiri and wife Audrey.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Romulo will also bring his wife, Lovely Rose.

Other local government officials with the team are Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado, Sarangani Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez, Samar Governor Ben Evardone, Agusan del Sur Adolph Edward Plaza, Camarines Sur Governor Luis Villafuerte Jr., Bulacan Governor Josephine dela Cruz, Sultan Kudarat Pax Mangudadatu, and Manila Mayor Lito Atienza.

GMA in ‘pink of health’ after leaving hospital

President Arroyo left the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City yesterday morning at around 9:10 a.m. to end her confinement there since Thursday night due to acute infectious diarrhea stemming from stress.

Mrs. Arroyo immediately proceeded to Malacañang for the ceremonial signing of the death penalty law scheduled at 10 a.m., her only engagement yesterday.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Mrs. Arroyo is "in the pink of health," though all her other activities scheduled yesterday were cancelled to prepare her for a week-long trip to Italy, the Vatican and Spain starting today, Sunday.

"She’s in the pink of health, though she needs more rest because of the coming trip to Europe," Ermita said.

Ermita added that upon her return from her two-nation trip in Europe, Mrs. Arroyo would focus on her coming State of the Nation Address to be delivered at the resumption of Congress on July 24.

Presidential Chief of Staff Michael Defensor said Mrs. Arroyo had cancelled all her activities yesterday, except for the ceremonial signing of the law abolishing the death penalty.

Mrs. Arroyo was originally scheduled to go to Italy yesterday night, but her confinement due to diarrhea prompted her to postpone the trip to this morning. (David Cagahastian)

Opposition asked to postpone filing of  impeachment complaint

Palace officials yesterday appealed to groups critical of President Arroyo to postpone their scheduled filing of the second impeachment complaint against her until she returns from her week-long trip to Europe which starts today.

Presidential Chief of Staff Michael Defensor said Malacañang is hoping that opposition groups would rally behind the President as she prepares to meet international leaders, including Pope Benedict XVI, during her trip to Italy, the Vatican and Spain this week.

"I hope that they would rally behind the President because she’s going abroad," Defensor said.

He added that Malacañang expects opposition groups to consider the sentiments of the people against the filing of the second impeachment complaint against Mrs. Arroyo.

Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Gabriel Claudio said it is customary that leaders in government rally behind the President when the Chief Executive goes abroad to push for the country’s foreign policies.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, for his part, expressed confidence that the administration bloc in the House of Representatives will be able to block the transmission to the Senate of any impeachment complaint against Mrs. Arroyo.

It has been one year since the first impeachment complaint against Mrs. Arroyo was filed by the opposition in the House of Representatives, and they believe the prohibition period for the filing of a second impeachment complaint has lapsed. (David Cagahastian)