Death Penalty : Life Deprivation, Not a Solution

Death Penalty: Life Deprivation, Not a Solution

KLINT LOUIE S. DINAPO

                                                                                                                Grade 11 – Saint

                                                                                                                MARVIN HAMOY  

                                                                                                                   March 2017                                                                                                                              

Table of Contents

Abstract                        - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -    1

Introduction                        - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -      2

Main Body                        - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -      3-5

Bibliography                        - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -      6

Abstract

Death Penalty is not the answer in solving the country’s widespread crimes. It is a clear deprivation of someone’s life adding the idea of having flawed criminal justice system in the country. A lot of studies show that execution is not the deterrence of crimes, it will just add fear on the poor people who will be convicted without equal access to good lawyers.

Undeniably, the innocents who were mostly belong to the poor cannot have best lawyers whom can save them while the guilty offenders who were mostly rich and moneyed can get off easily.

Above all, it will violate the Christian belief on the sanctity of human life and God as the creator.

1

Introduction

The restoration of capital punishment is the biggest issue that the country is facing right now. Our president, with his vocal support on it receive a lot of flak from Catholic Churches and other individuals who is against for his campaign on Death Penalty. Filipinos have mixed opinions about the death penalty, with many opposing it on religious and humanitarian grounds, while advocates see it as a way of deterring crimes.

The researcher is sad upon hearing this House Bill 4727 which seeks to restore Death Penalty in the Country. Undeniably, the researcher is a great supporter of the president for his war against drugs and corruption, his guts to end criminality and the use of illegal drugs of the people but he is against his stand on the restoration of the capital punishment with some heinous crimes.  The reseacher believe that criminals should be punished and not through killing, life imprisonment is enough. Most of all, this capital punishment will violate our Christian Love and the sanctity of human life.

The researcher gathered the necessary data by research and from books. The strong points were gathered together to defend his claim.

2

Main Body

The idea of execution was brought to the Philippines by Spanish colonizers during their period. Capital punishment on their time includes burning, decapitation, drowning, flaying, garrote, hanging, shooting, stabbing and others. Gomez, Burgos, Zamora and Jose Rizal were among those executed and known today as heroes. The punishment continues during the American period but on the Japanese Occupation, there was no record of execution because extrajudicial killings were practiced. On the Marcos years were Martial Law was established, crimes were numbered to a total of 24. Jaime Jose, Basilio Pineda, and Edgardo Aquino were executed for the gang rape of movie star Maggie dela Riva in 1972 and Benigno Simeon Aquino, Jr. died through firing squad. It was during Pres Corazon Cojuanco Quino when death penalty was abolished on 1987. It was reimpose during Fedel V. Ramos time where crimes were on rise and continues on Joseph Estrada’s presidency. It was again abolish on Gloria Arroyo’s time.

        At present, the country is again faced by the issues of its restoration. President Rodrigo Duterte, with his firm and strong will to fight drugs and corruption vocally shows his support on the returning of the death penalty in the country which receives a lot of criticism from Catholic churches, including bishops, priest and other individuals who are not into this capital punishment. There 216 are in favor, 54 are not in favor and 1 abstained in the latest votes for its restate.

Personally, the researcher is against the restoration of Death penalty in the country for many reasons.  The country has flawed and weak justice system. The poor cannot afford to pay best lawyers while the rich can, resulting to innocents get convicted while guilty criminals can                                                                      get off of their committed crimes.                                                                                                   3