PNoy not too keen on reviving death penalty

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III is lukewarm to the idea of imposing again the maximum penalty of death.

On the sidelines of the 65th anniversary of the Liberal Party, Aquino said he fears that, at some point, the innocent will be meted the death penalty.

Nonetheless, Aquino said this will have to be studied.

"I will have to study that. I don't know where the calls are emanating from. But yung essence nito, our judicial system, as you know, is not perfect. There is a possibility that people can be wrongly convicted, especially if they do not have the ability to secure competent counsel,” he said.

He used to favor the death penalty but changed his mind because of the current status of the judicial system.

“In a perfect world, kung maayos ang ating judicial system, then perhaps there is a room for that. But because of your economic status, you cannot get the right lawyers to help you out, then there is a possibility you can be wrongly convicted. Tapos pag ipapasok natin ang death penalty, how do you turn back the clock if that is executed?" he said.

Some politicians and the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) have raised the idea anew following the deaths of 2 car dealers, including the son of former Marcos lawyer Oliver Lozano. Their bodies were found dumped and burned beyond recognition.

Aquino said the police are now tracking the culprits behind the murders. Police believe one and the same syndicate is behind the deaths of Emerson Lozano and Venson Evangelista.

“Itong sa carnapping, uupuan namin po iyan. Pero bago namin upuan, talagang tinutugis na ang mga salarin,” he said.

He said the government is looking for solutions to eliminate other forms of crime as well.

"There will be multiple solutions of cases that are pending. There are things that I cannot comment on right now because of the ongoing resolution," Aquino said.

He also defended the police, who have been lambasted before the media for different issues facing its members.

"There are so many criticisms on the PNP. Pero look at how many they have been solving. And it will just take siguro a few minutes to google-search what their achievements have been," Aquino said.
source: abs-cbnnews.com/