‘Draconian’ laws vowed vs crime

Alvarez: Tough measures also eyed vs traffic

MANILA, Philippines – The country is facing a “peace and order crisis” including crippling traffic jams, and the incoming 17th Congress may have to pass draconian measures to address this, Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez said yesterday.

Alvarez, who is the choice of incoming president Rodrigo Duterte to be the next speaker of the House of Representatives, also said extra powers may be sought by the executive to deal with the crisis.

Priority measures include amending the 1987 Constitution to shift the form of government to a federal system, reimposing the death penalty and lowering the age of criminal liability, Alvarez said.

Asked if the measures would be “draconian,” he replied, “yes, yes.”

Alvarez said the legislative priorities would address what he described as a “peace and order crisis” as Duterte promised “change in three to six months.”

“We are faced with a crisis. Criminality is rising every day and the main source of the worsening criminality is drugs. Traffic is so horrendous, it is in itself a crisis,” Alvarez told reporters after arriving at a political event in Makati City two hours late.

He said the worsening traffic congestion is also causing billions of pesos in economic losses daily.

“The executive branch needs the support of Congress to have extra powers to address these crises, if we’re really serious in fixing them. We need drastic measures,” he said.

Alvarez said previous administrations have tried to address criminality and traffic congestion but many have opposed the solutions to protect their own interests.

When asked to elaborate, Alvarez said the executive branch may need powers that should be granted by acts of Congress.

Alvarez added the shift to federalism would greatly address the peace and order situation in Mindanao as the people in the region would be given more freedom to chart their future.

‘Climate of peace and predictability’

Incoming finance secretary Carlos Dominguez pointed out that the peace and order situation in the country topped the 8-point economic agenda of the Duterte administration.

He stressed economic gains are pegged on the progress made in the peace and order situation of the country.

“Businesses and investors can thrive in a climate of peace and predictability,” he said. 

Dominguez told reporters in Davao City that peace and order will provide firm buoyancy to the aimed economic agenda, particularly in staying the course in terms of the next government’s macroeconomic trajectory. 

Dominguez also stressed the need for everyone to work together to achieve continued and more inclusive growth that would be felt by marginalized sectors of society. 

“Moving forward, we will endeavor to continue what has been working while at the same time, make a significant course correction toward making growth more inclusive,” he said.

Dominguez cited the country’s poverty rate remains above 25 percent of the population.

“And we must find ways to make economic growth actually work for the poor,” he added. 

Dominguez said the incoming Duterte administration would work on its economic agenda with the caveat that more consultations need to be done and will be done in the next few years.

Deterrent

Duterte had campaigned on a strong peace and order platform, vowing to make the funeral industry prosper with the executions of criminals, drug pushers in particular.

Duterte has been repeatedly accused by local and international human rights groups of masterminding killings of petty criminals in Davao City by so-called “death squads” but he has not categorically responded to such allegations.

Alvarez, for his part, said he expects the proposal of Duterte to reinstate capital punishment to be strongly opposed but pointed out it would be subject to a vote in Congress.

Alvarez is confident that the revival of the death penalty would be done within the first year of Duterte’s administration.

Alvarez said he would do anything to make it possible.

“Within one year, we will do it, we will make it happen,” he said.

“We are in a democracy, so the majority prevails. We may not agree with each other but there’s always a way.”

Alvarez added the need to amend the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act to lower the age of criminal liability from 15 years.

He said law enforcement agencies have found it harder to contain crime as syndicates resorted to using minors for their activities to prevent the youngsters from being arrested and charged by authorities.

“Don’t get me wrong – the intention of the law is noble but criminal syndicates have used children for their activities,” Alvarez said.

‘Do not be a monster’

A prominent Jesuit priest and academician advised Duterte against turning into a “monster” through the restoration of death penalty.

Ateneo de Davao University president Fr. Joel Tabora said everyone is vulnerable to becoming a dictator or even a monster when given power.

“We want to support you but be the person we see in you. Don’t be a monster. Don’t be this person that has been referred to as the dark side of Digong (Duterte’s nickname),” Tabora said in an academic forum in Davao City yesterday.  

“I hope that he remains true to his word that he will respect the laws of the land, he will not work outside of the law, that he will not work with death squads on a national scale and therefore become a dictator that in hubris, in excess may become a monster,” he added.

On the other hand, a world-renowned businessman and philanthropist said it would be a mistake for the Duterte administration to revive the death penalty.

“I am slightly worried with the idea of bringing back death penalty here. Death penalty is not a deterrent (to crime),” said Richard Branson, founder of the British conglomerate Virgin Group.

Speaking at a forum organized by the ABS-CBN News Channel, Branson explained it has been proven in many countries that the best way to fight illegal drugs is to promote better wellbeing.

“Those that become repressive will never get out of the problem,” he said.

“It does not mean that you have death penalty, you will have these people afraid of getting killed themselves. It just doesn’t work that way,” Branson said.

After leading the elections with a campaign against crime, Duterte vowed to lobby in Congress a return of the death sentence that was abolished by law in 2006.

He even went as far as saying that he would do this by hanging them publicly and give shoot-to-kill orders against drug users and sellers.

However, with a weak justice system, Branson said there is a risk that innocent people may be wrongly put on death row.

“You do not do this in a country where you can’t be sure of right convictions,” he said.

“Countries where you cannot 100 percent trust the court should not have death penalty. Besides, you should not have it anyway because it is not a deterrent,” he added. – With Edith Regalado, Alexis Romero, Prinz Magtulis, Robertzon Ramirez