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By Ira Karen Apanay, Senior Reporter
COMMISSION on Human Rights Chairperson Leila de
Lima opposed Thursday the call of some legislators to revive the
death penalty in the country, as she reaffirmed the commitment of
the commission to the right to life.“Reports of efforts to
resurrect the imposition of the death penalty in the country in the
light of the recent spate of killings and appalling criminal acts
resulting in deaths of several persons have constrained the
Commission on Human Rights to re-affirm its commitment to the right
to life,” de Lima said in a statement.
At the same time, the commission reminded all
stakeholders that the re-imposition of the death penalty is a breach
of international obligations, by virtue of the country’s bounded
commitments with international human rights treaties and adherence
to the principle of pacta suntservanda (agreements must be kept)
under international law.
“The commission also affirms that under the
1987 Philippine Constitution, it is declared [the] Principle of the
State to ‘value the dignity of every human person and guarantee
full respect for human rights,’” the statement also said.
On Monday, Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and
Panfilo Lacson said they favor the re-imposition of death penalty in
the aftermath of the recent bank robbery in Cabuyao, Laguna where 10
people were killed. Another shooting rampage took place days later
in Laguna, killing eight people.
The commission also said that the passage of
Republic Act 9346, or An Act Prohibiting the Imposition of Death
Penalty in the Philippines, in 2006 saw the Philippines giving
recognition to the supremacy of the right to life.
De Lima further said that “since the enactment
of the death penalty law in 1993, there has been no sufficient proof
to show that the penalty of death has the effect of deterring crimes
in the country.”
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