Crimes covered by death penalty bill down to four

MANILA, Philippines - From a high of 21 offenses covered by the bill reviving the death penalty, House leaders have agreed to limit coverage to only four – drug trafficking, plunder, treason and rape with homicide – for now.

Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas said the super-majority coalition members agreed to whittle the number of offenses to the first three after considering “compelling reasons” and “challenging global situation,” but opposition Rep. Tomas Villarin of party-list Akbayan said rape was also agreed upon.

 “I think they approved four. It included rape with homicide, especially if the victim is 10 years old and below,” Villarin, who was absent during the caucus, told reporters.

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said he is determined to retain plunder in the list of crimes punishable by death under House Bill 4727, which seeks to re-impose the death penalty in the country.

Like those who commit heinous crimes, plunderers of government coffers – either elected or appointed officials – should be meted the maximum punishment of death, the House leaders argued.

Parañaque Rep. Gus Tambunting, chairman of the committee on games and amusement, agreed.

“If our consciences are clear, then we (politicians) have nothing to worry about. This would also fit well with the administration’s thrust to battle graft and corruption in government. The money shouldn’t end up in someone’s pocket for his personal benefit,” Tambunting stressed.

President Duterte wanted death by hanging imposed on criminals convicted of heinous crimes.

Deputy Speaker Fredenil Castro predicts a landslide win for the bill, explaining that at least 220 administration lawmakers will vote for its revival.

“If the House has 293 members, it is possible that they (pro-life lawmakers) would reach 60 or 70 as against the 200-plus members of the majority,” the lawmaker from Capiz said in a dzBB interview over the weekend.