Senate minority poised for serious debate on death penalty

MANILA, Philippines — The new members of the Senate minority are set to put up a serious debate over the proposal to revive the death penalty, Sen. Bam Aquino said on Wednesday.

Aquino, Sen. Franklin Drilon, Sen. Risa Hontiveros and Sen. Francis Pangilinan, who are all allied with the Liberal Party, have been ousted from their committee chairmanships and the majority.

The four senators are now part of the minority along with Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV.

"The minority will play an active role in the debates and we will make sure that counter perspectives are given a space in the Senate," Aquino said.

Aquino was recently elected as deputy minority leader.

"Filipino lives are at stake here at karamihan pa sa mga ito'y puro mahihirap na Pilipino na kadalasa'y dehado pagdating sa hukuman at sa mata na batas," the senator said.

The Senate Committee on Justice has started hearings on the proposal to restore the death penalty but was suspended due to worries that the country might violate the Treaty of International Convention on Civil and Political Rights.

At the House of Representatives, the coverage of the proposed revival of the death penalty was limited to only cover drug-related crimes.

Unlike in the Senate, LP members at the House of Representatives supermajority will postpone their decision on whether to stay or leave until the voting on the death penalty bill.

Members of the House are expected to vote on the proposed reimposition of the death penalty on second reading on Wednesday.