CEBU, Philippines - Anti-death penalty crusaders are calling for reforms in the judiciary by modernizing its system and strengthening the rule of law for “fair, impartial and speedy trial,” believed to be a more effective approach to curb criminality.
While a bill to this effect is pending in Congress, localized mass movement is a good step to fuel demonstrations of protest actions showing lawmakers the people’s opposition to such state policy, said Liberal Party President and Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan in a multi-sectoral forum yesterday.
In Cebu City, pro-life activists are set to stage a protest rally dubbed “Walk for Life” to voice out their strong disapproval in reviving the death penalty.
In a public consultation at the University of San Carlos yesterday afternoon, Pangilinan said he has been calling for the modernization of the justice system and strengthening the rule of law.
He said swift disposition of justice can be achieved if vacant courts are filled. There is also a need to establish more courts, he added, to de-clog the existing courts handling a huge pile of cases.
Modernizing the system, he said, is a more strategic solution to reduce criminality compared to the death penalty.
With the President rallying for the revival of death penalty through his allies in Congress, Pangilinan said this vision may be at risk in the Senate – what with the 24-seat body dominated by those in favor of re-imposing the death penalty. He said only 10 might vote against it, so far.
“Right now, I am not optimistic that we have the numbers… The rest of the 24 or 14, we are not sure if what is their position. That is the situation in the senate now,” he said.
Still, he said, there are still ways to convince members of Congress to vote disapprove such proposed measure.
A mass movement is a good start, he said, as well as involving faith-based organizations or the Church itself, to show a strong and united front of protest actions.
He said people can also send email messages or direct messages to senators.
“We might swing it in our favor but we need pressure from different groups,” he said.
Atty. Regal Oliva of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines said lawyers are burdened with several cases with one court handling 3,000 to 4,000 cases. Ideally, there should be 400 to 500 cases per court.
“And the possibility of a wrong decision and sentencing a person to death is highly probable. There is still a need to address that area,” Oliva said.
Catherine Ruiz of Kaabag Sa Sugbo network said the 26-member non-government organization is in consensus of those against the reimposition of the death penalty, citing that it is not an effective deterrence in curbing crime.
She said there are more important issues that people need to pour their collective efforts to such as reforms in the justice system. (FREEMAN)