IBP opposes Duterte’s call for Congress to revive death penalty for drug crimes

July 28, 2020

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines on Tuesday opposed President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for Congress to pass a law reviving the death penalty for drug cases.

IBP President Domingo Egon Cayosa said the country needs improved delivery of justice.

"What is more important is for our country, for our government to improve the delivery of justice. Meaning to say, take away the corruption in our justice system, take away the delay, take away the undue influence and the lack of personnel," Cayosa said in an interview with GMA News.

"So that when people are accused of crimes, it’s certain that they will be arrested, they will be prosecuted, given due process and sooner than later, they will be meted out the penalty. And when they go, they are transferred into the jails of this country, that they will suffer the penalty instead of continuing their drug business inside the walls of that prison," Cayosa said.

Cayosa said the certainty of punishment is a better deterrent to crime.

The death penalty was scrapped in 2006. DMS