Malacañang is hopeful that the Senate will soon pass a bill restoring death penalty for drug-related offenses following the swift passage of the House of the Representatives version.
“We trust the bill will also be passed in the Senate considering that it is a vital tool in the Duterte administration’s war on drugs and criminality,” presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said.
Abella argued that the return of capital punishment underlines the government’s goal to reduce illegal drug-related criminality in the country.
“The death penalty, with its strong deterrent effects, protects innocent lives. At the same time, its punitive aspect ensures that criminals recompense grievous loss,” he added.
The country moved closer to the return of the death penalty Tuesday after 217 congressmen voted for House Bill 4727 that makes drug crimes punishable by death. Fifty-four lawmakers are against the death penalty bill.
(Genalyn D. Kabiling)
