Bets divided on death penalty

CEBU, Philippines — Several partylist representatives and a reelectionist senator are divided on the re-imposition of the death penalty in the country.

Mike Pato, second nominee of Alliance Advocating Autonomy partylist, said that he is in favor of the imposition of the death penalty but only for heinous crimes.

Ernesto Enriquez, first nominee of Ako Bisdak, said he is only in favor of the death penalty for drug traffickers.

However, John Ruiz, regional coordinator of Bayan Muna, and Magdalo third nominee Elmer Cruz both said they are against the death penalty because of the country’s “flawed” justice system.

"Tungod kay problematic atong justice system, ang ma death penalty kay ang mga pobre ra gihapon," said Ruiz during the Mega Cebu's forum with the Partylists yesterday.

Meanwhile, Senator Nancy Binay, in her recent visit to Cebu, said she is not supporting any proposal that will restore the death penalty.

"I am not supporting the restoration of the death penalty.  Dapat maayos muna yung justice system natin," said Binay.

Doris Dinorog Obena of the Akbayan Partylist said that she is not in favor because the government’s justice system for now is problematic and might affect the poor more and added that the justice system should be strengthened first.

“Ug dili maayo imong abogado, posible jud ka nga mapildi sa imong kaso, kinahanglan nato ipa lig-on pa ang justice system,” Obena said.

James Gallerde of Ako Bisaya Partylist, for his part, is in favor of the reimposition of the death penalty for heinous crimes, especially for drugs and rape cases, like the brutal killing of Christine Lee Silawan, whose face was skinned.

On imposing federalism, Gallerde said that he is in favor if the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill will be passed, because if a federal country is still controlled by political families, there would still be no progress.

Obena, on her part, is not in favor of federalism if the intention is not good and is not well-implemented.

The agenda of Akbayan includes the review of TRAIN law, Safe Spaces law, and the End of Contractualization.

The Ako Bisaya partylist hopes to give voice to Bisaya-speaking people in Congress, to preserve the culture and heritage of the Bisaya, and the increase in wages of the healthcare center.

Caroline Ballesteros, Mega Cebu advocate and host of Klarohay Ta!, briefly discussed  with her co-host Dante Luzon, the MyTV Program Director, about the incident during the last forum.

The incident that was referred to was Larry Gadon’s statement, after a student called him a ‘liar’, when he said that the Marcoses did not have ill-gotten wealth.

“Ang youth nato ba very passionate because they care so much about our country,” said Ballesteros. —,Micole Gerard J. Tizon, Moira Beatrice A. Zamora /GAN (FREEMAN)