Death penalty worse than EJK – Saguisag

MANILA, Philippines - Former senator Rene Saguisag voiced his opposition to the proposal to revive the death penalty, calling it a policy worse than extrajudicial killings.

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle also invited the Catholic faithful yesterday to “reflect, pray and act” on the proposal to revive the death penalty now being discussed in Congress.

“To me, it’s worse than extrajudicial execution. It is judicial murder,” Saguisag said during the commemoration of the ratification of the 1987 Constitution on Wednesday.

“I hope that it is not returned… We can never, ever give up on anyone,” he added.

In the same event, former chief justice Hilario Davide Jr. also opposed the revival of the death penalty and noted the trend of its abolition around the world.

“On the move of the re-imposition of death penalty, we must reject it. Re-imposition of death penalty is a backward move and, again I would say, it is also anti-poor,” Davide, one of the framers of the present Charter, said.

“Those affected by the imposition of the death penalty would be the poor,” he added.

The two luminaries issued their statements as the House of Representatives started plenary debates on the bill, which was among the campaign promises of President Duterte.

Help for HR victims

Saguisag is part of the newly formed alliance of human rights lawyers called Artikulo Tres, which seeks to provide legal assistance to families of the victims of extrajudicial killings happening in the course of the administration’s drug war.

The former senator represented the alliance in the signing of an agreement with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to coordinate and work closely together to provide assistance to victims of human rights violations in the country.

Also part of the agreement were the Ateneo Human Rights Center, the Center for International Law, the Free Legal Assistance Group, the Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services, Lawyers Beyond Borders and the Legal Network for Truthful Elections.

CHR Chairman Chito Gascon said the commission would continue to work together with different organizations to ensure that human rights of all Filipinos are respected and upheld at all times.

“We affirm commitment together as a united front for human rights and due process; that we will work together with the human rights organizations and victims’ organizations as we advance and protect the fundamental freedoms of our people,” he added.

Not a deterrent, violent 

Tagle, in his statement encouraging those belonging to the Archdiocese of Manila covering the cities of Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasay and San Juan to study the proposal, said Catholic teachings were against the death penalty and cited three reasons why the Church was opposing it.

“I offer these thoughts for your serene study and prayer. If you share these convictions, you should make them known to your elected representatives,” he said.

The three reasons were first, studies worldwide showed the death penalty did not lessen violent crimes.

“The threat of punishment by death has not reduced criminality… because it does not solve criminality from its roots,” Tagle said, noting the best approach was still to address the roots of the problem in a positive and comprehensive manner.

To help solve roots of criminality, the Church and the state need to protect and strengthen the basic unit of society, which is the family, he added.

“The usual problems include loss of moral values, injustice, inequality, poverty, lack of access to food, education, jobs and housing, proliferation of weapons, drugs, pornography and loss of respect for sexuality,” Tagle said.

Second, Tagle cited the danger of the death penalty legitimizing the use of violence to deal with every wrongdoing. 

“We affirm that victims of crimes need justice and healing. An honest and upright judicial and penal system assures the victims and society of protection and renewal. There is real danger that the death penalty might be applied to an innocent person,” the prelate said.

Tagle called for reforms in the institutions that would safeguard justice while preventing the spread of a culture of violence.

“Penalties are not imposed for vengeance but for the correction of offenders and the good of society. A culture of violence dehumanizes. A culture of justice, integrity and hope heals,” Tagle added.