CELEBRATING THE SENATE’S 97th ANNIVERSARY. Senate President Franklin M. Drilon addresses Senate officials and employees during the Senate’s flag raising ceremony Monday, October 21. Drilon took the opportunity to thank everyone for what he calls a “selfless act” in deciding to forego plans to celebrate the annual Christmas Party in favor of donating the funds to the victims of recent calamities that struck Visayas and Mindanao. The Senate, which is also celebrating its 97th Anniversary, has also decided to allocate the budget for the anniversary to the victims of the recent 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Bohol and Cebu. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senate President Franklin Drilon on Wednesday said debates on the reimposition of death penalty should start to determine if it would really address rising crime incidents.
“Sa aking tingin, pwede pa natin yang pagdebatehan. Hinihimok nga ng aking kasama na si Sen. Tito Sotto na i-report at pagdebatehan sa Senado ang pagbabalik sa death penalty,” Drilon said in a radio interview.
On Tuesday, Sotto, Senate acting minority leader, renewed calls for the reimposition of the death penalty following the killing of actress Cherry Pie Picache’s mother. Sotto believed the suspect could have been under the influence of drugs.
The bill Sotto filed for the purpose of reimposing capital punishment is still pending before the Senate committee on constitutional amendments, revision of codes and laws as well as the justice and human rights committee. The death penalty was abolished in 2006.
Drilon said what should be looked into is if the rising crime incidents is due to the repeal of death penalty or failure of the police to do its job.
“Dapat tingnan kung ang pagtaas ng krimen, ay dahil ba sa pagkawala ng death penalty o sa hindi maayos na pagpapatakbo ng peace and order situation ng ating kapulisan,” he said.
He added that the Philippine National Police is given enough budget by the national government to implement peace and order.
“Ang importante kasi ay yung kanilang visibility, dahil kung hindi nakikita ang pulis, ay baka isa yan sa dahilan kung bakit dumadami nga ang mga krimen sa mga langsangan,” said Drilon. (MNS)