CAPITAL PUNISHMENT OR DEATH PENALTY IN THE PHILIPPINES: a crime deterrent or a sensitive religious and emotional issue?

Death penalty is the punishment for capital offenses a final judicial sentence or verdict.

committed by a person after

In the Philippines , before the re- abolition of the capital punishment under Republic Act 9346 (An act prohibiting the imposition of death) signed by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, there are several capital offenses that carries a penalty of death, these includes the following, to wit: Murder, Rape, Treason, car- knapping, and drug-trafficking. Setting aside some political and or religious issues during the Marcos administration, the capital punishment was instrumental in instituting discipline among the citizens of the Philippines. Fear of death punishment on nationwide television coverage inculcated the minds of every Filipino to commit heinous crimes. These were evidence on some high profile cases of death sentences during that time; namely, The executions of Jaime Jose, Basilio Pineda and Edgardo Aquino who were convicted of gang-raping then Actress Margie Dela Riva on May 1972, and the Execution by firing squad of convicted drug trafficker Lim seng. Today that capital punishment was already gone; some may not fully agree that the surge or increase in capital offenses can be attributed on the death penalty abolition but rather to the poor implementations of our laws by our enforcers. Relatively, some sees it that the unequal access to judicial process is one of the causes why some people tend to commit extra judicial relief. But what could be the cause of its abolition. The pressure from international communities , and the pressure from the religious sector more particularly the roman catholic church who often meddles with the affairs of the state are some obvious reasons. The international communities and many first world countries may had already abolished death penalty, but these countries have an ideal system of governance, check and balances to insure the proper and fair implementation of their laws. Unlike the Philippines, a third world country who is just starting to achieved a perfect democracy for its people. The Roman Catholic likewise moves heaven and earth to counter any move to restore the death penalty as this will be against their religious beliefs. Majority of Philippine lawmakers will not risk restoring it for fear of being unpopular to the masses. People who understand the meaning of law, capital punishment must be re-established. The state should see to it that Laws and Judicial process must be implemented the way it should be. This will give equal opportunities and justice to people who were victims of this crimes.