DOJ chief Remulla mum on death penalty; wants a debate, put issue to vote

WILL IT BE USED AGAIN? Before it was abolished under the Arroyo administration in 2006, death penalty in the country was imposed by lethal injection, with the condemned convict executed in this chamber at NewBilibid Prison. —INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla on Wednesday said the restoration of the death penalty should be “properly” debated and voted on by the country’s policymakers.

“It is up to the democratic country like ours to vote on this issue. I believe that policymakers should debate it properly and vote for it as representatives of the people,” said Remulla during the CA committee hearing on his appointment as Justice Secretary.

“But it can be debated, and we should learn from the debates before we decide on the issue of death penalty,” he added.

He, however, did not explicitly say whether he was for or against the reimposition of capital punishment — which he said could either be an “ a payment for a sin” or “to deter crimes.

“As a matter of deterrence, I believe it could only be done if there is the certainty of punishment; if the justice system is efficient, we can deter the commission of a crime,” said Remulla.

“But for the philosophical underpinnings of punishment and as a payment for the commission of a sin that is still one that will divide society forever, the body of life will always be important to all of us,” he added.

This came amid a long-running discussion on whether it is time for the country to restore the death penalty.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said that he is still undecided about whether the death penalty should be reimposed, saying that there are practical and moral concerns surrounding the said policy.

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