17 convicts to be executed this year
The government, in a reversal of its earlier policy, announced yesterday that it would execute by lethal injection some 17 death convicts this year, despite possible reaction from the strong Catholic Church, Justice Secretary Hernando Perez said.
The government, in a reversal of its earlier policy, announced yesterday that it would execute by lethal injection some 17 death convicts this year, despite possible reaction from the strong Catholic Church, Justice Secretary Hernando Perez said.
Rolando Pagdayawan, who is convicted for rape, is expected to be executed any time between now and September, following the affirmation of his death sentence by the Apex Court in March last year.
Alfredo Nardo, also convicted for rape, was scheduled for execution between April to October. The Supreme Court upheld his death sentence.
Pagdayawan and Nardo are some of the 14 convicted rapists. Two other convicts are kidnappers, the other is a robber.
"As soon as their convictions are reviewed and approved for implementation by the Supreme Court, the implementation of the death sentence should follow," said Perez.
Earlier, Perez said the government will not execute any criminal as long as he is the justice secretary.
President Gloria Arroyo also said the same thing when she became president after the ouster of former president Joseph Estrada early 2001.
However, she changed her mind and said that executions must go on to deter criminals from continuing their brazen acts.
Kidnappers and kidnap for ransom activities of some rebel groups have continued to embarrass the government and prevented investors from establishing business interests in the Philippines. Many senators and congressmen have expressed a change of heart.
They have started a debate on whether they will amend the country's reinstated capital punishment. Some of them have filed a bill to abolish capital punishment, adding that it has not prevented criminals from committing heinous crimes.
Several lawyers' groups called for a stronger campaign for the repeal of the death sentence, a move that is opposed by many crime-watch groups who comprise members of the families of crime victims.
The Free Legal Assistance Group (Flag) asked Arroyo to stop her plan, saying: "In the face of a clear majority in the Senate and large numbers in the House asking for the abolition of the death penalty, the president's decision to allow executions is arrogant, undemocratic and smacks of gross political grandstanding."
