Despite the Vatican’s recent pronouncement that the death penalty is “inadmissible” as it is an “attack on the inviolability and dignity” of all humans, if Senator Manny Pacquiao has his way, he would like the proposed death penalty bill be approved in the Senate within the year.
Pacquiao said in his interview over DWIZ on Saturday if he would push through with the hearings on the proposed restoration of the death penalty in the country and he said with “yes” with so much conviction. He has been asked to lead the hearings of the Senate justice committee on the said issue.
“Biblically andyan naman yan sa Bible e. Kung Bible ang pag-uusapan, andyan naman. Binibigyan ng karapatan ang authority, which is the government, to impose the death penalty against those who commit heinous crimes so even in our Constitution nandyan yan,” he added.
(Biblically, it’s in the Bible. If we talk about the Bible, it’s there. The authority, which is the government, has been given the right to impose the death penalty against those who commit heinous crimes so it’s there, even in our Constitution.)
The death penalty is a very sensitive issue in the pre-dominantly Catholic Philippines, hence, it would really be met with so much opposition once it is brought back to the plenary for discussion.
For Senator Pacquiao, the reimposition of the death penalty on several heinous crimes like drug trafficking, rape with murder, robbery with murder and kidnap for ransom. Pacquiao said he is open to limit it to high-level drug trafficking if only to get the support of his colleagues. “I’m open to it, at least on drug-related cases, because it’s really the cause of sufferings of our countrymen, the illegal drugs.”
Last year, the neophyte Senator drew the ire of the Catholics and other pro-life groups opposing the reimposition of the death penalty when he defended his stand on it. He said, “Even Jesus was sentenced to death. God allows governments to use capital punishment. Even Jesus Christ was sentenced to death because the government imposed the rule then.”
Pro-Life group believes that Pacquiao does not fully understand the Word of God. The Senator who was known for making a sign of the cross was a devout Catholic until he was converted by some pastors who have now been working closely with him. At some point, even Coach Freddie Roach, his former trainer and coach blames these pastors who take so much time in prayer meeting that sometimes affected the training and rest of the boxing senator.