Passage by Congress of the controversial bill seeking the reimposition of the death penalty will strike fear in the hearts of criminals, particularly those dealing with illegal drugs, boxing icon and Sen. Manny Pacquiao said.
“Kailangan mai-pasa. It has a deterrent effect,’’ Pacquiao, a born-again Christian, said when asked if illegal drug operations in the country would finally cease once a death penalty measure is enacted into law during the administration of President Duterte.
However, Pacquiao conceded that crimes could not be eliminated altogether even if death penalty is reimposed.
The Senate Justice and Human Rights Committee chaired by Sen. Richard J. Gordon has scheduled a public hearing on various pro-death penalty bills on January 30.
Like Gordon, Pacquiao asked why Filipinos get the death penalty when they violate grave crimes, including the trafficking of dangerous drugs, in foreign lands but foreigners who violate Philippine laws with impunity are merely jailed all because the country does not have a death penalty statute.
Although he earlier stated that he is against the reimposition of the death penalty, Gordon later said that he is keeping an open mind on the issue.
Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson, chairman of the Senate Public Order and Dangerous Drugs Committee, earlier suggested that the Senate leadership create a sub-committee under Gordon’s principal committee because Gordon is against the death penalty bill. (Mario B. Casayuran)