Chatto thumbs down

Death penalty move

“ANYTHING short of death penalty,” says Governor Edgar Chatto who was staking his personal stand on the move to reimpose capital punishment.

This too as two bills are reportedly pending in the House of Representatives, all for the resurrection of death penalty.

“My stand has always been consistent even when I was still a congressman”, Chatto, now Bohol governor reiterates, “I have always been pro-life.”

“The value for life is very high on my hierarchy” [of values], he said even as he learned that one bill was filed by then Bohol governor, now Representative Erico Aumentado.

 

Considering the raging public debates on the death penalty as crime deterrent, Chatto said whatever measures we do, we can impose whatever it is, short of death.

 

Talks about the reimposition of the death penalty resurrected with senators expressing support on the move even as newspapers reported that President Benigno Simeon Aquino III and several congressmen thumbed down the move.

Canon lawyer and Bohol Bishop Leonardo Medroso also have the same view with Chatto.

At a casual talk during multisectoral gathering in Bohol, Bishop Medroso shared about his conviction of the sanctity of life and the divine law of life.

According to reports, Rep. Erico Aumentado filed House Bill 03993, which will restore the death penalty for capital offenses as defined in the revised penal code.

Aumentado also wants that crimes of carjacking with homicide; kidnapping with homicide or for ransom; manufacturing, smuggling or trafficking of dangerous drugs and plunder cases among those punishable by death.

Another bi, HB 00744 filed by Rep. Jane Tan Castro, which declares illegal logging a heinous crime can incur the penalty of death.

Aumentado’s bill is now on 1st reading while Castro’s bill has remained in the justice committee.

This again as many congressmen, including Rep. Rodolfo Biazon and Rafael Mariano openly share their belief that re-imposition of death penalty will not deter crime.

Biazon said it is not a penalty, but a law enforcement issue.

Instead, Biazon as reported by Inquirer said, “we have to strengthen judicial processes and implementation of laws in this country.” (racPIABohol)