MANILA, Philippines — The Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights tackles at least five measures proposing the revival of the death penalty, which the Duterte administration considers as an important tool in its fight against crime and drugs.
Committee members are set to review possible increased penalties on heinous crime of kidnapping, child trafficking, exploitation, prostitution, pornography and rape. They will also determine if there should be an amendment in the imposition of penalty of qualified Reclusion Perpetua.
A death penalty revival bill was filed by Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, Emmanuel "Manny Pacquiao and Sherwin "Win" Gatchalian. Sen. Franklin Drilon said he expects the deliberation to be full of heated arguments due to opposing views.
Watch the hearing which started at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2016: