Convictions deters crime not death penalty

CEBU - Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, chairperson of the Senate committee on justice and human rights, has expressed opposition to the reimplementation of death penalty.

In an interview with reporters yesterday, Escudero said that death penalty is not the answer to the heinous crimes in our country.

“What will deter crimes is the certainty of the punishment. Wala naman sigurong tao ang may gusto na makulong. The problem is with the justice system and the implementation of the laws,” Escudero, who voted for the removal of the death penalty around five years ago, said.

“Simple lang ang rason, certainty of convictions ang makaka-deter sa krimen hindi ‘yung parusang kamatayan. A day after Leo Echegaray was executed, much publicized may na-rape na namang bata.”

“Nakita natin sa diyaryo ‘yon. So, hindi patunay kung may death penalty, eh bababa yung krimen. Hangga’t hindi perfect yung ating justice system na klarong pumapabor sa mayayaman kaysa sa mahihirap dahil makakakuha sila ng mas magaling na abogado at kulang ang budget ng PAO natin, hindi ako sang-ayon na tutuldukan ko ang pag-asa niyang mabago ano mang maling desisyon ‘pag pinatawan mo na ng parusang kamatayan,” Escudero told reporters yesterday.

He said that the case of the Alabang Boys should not be made a basis on the reinstitution of death penalty in the country. — Jasmin R. Uy/MEEV   (THE FREEMAN)