Even in it’s re-watered down form, the death penalty restoration bill still won’t cut it, legally speaking.
“Even globally, the International Narcotics Control Board has stated the imposing death penalty on narcotics-related offenses is prohibited,” Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin told reporters Tuesday, February 28.
A day earlier, the House leadership said that it would now only limit the death penalty to certain drug-related crimes. Originally, some 21 crimes were listed under the measure as punishable under House Bill (HB) no. 4727.
The list was chopped down again and again supposedly to get the backing of the congressmen on the divisive bill.
Still no dice though, says Villarin.
“That goes to show that even in the international community, the imposition of death penalty…I think what they will do now is impose the mandatory penalty on drug-related offenses.
“So these drug-related offenses would again fall under another prohibition. Internationally, mandatory death penalty is prohibited,” he said.
“So even this watered-down version of the bill can be challenged constitutionally. Bottomline we have international treaty obligations and there would be a strong lash-back against the Philippines if we legislate the reimposition of death penalty,” Villarin further explained.
