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Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Palace stands by decision to commute death terms
* Anti-Arroyo lawmakers see hidden agenda behind move
* RP bishops hail lifting of death sentences
* But prelate believes decision was made to appease churchmen who oppose Charter change
MALACANANG said on Monday that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is not seeking political favors after commuting the death sentences of at least 1,000 convicts to life imprisonment.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said Arroyo came up with the decision after a "deep contemplation and reflection".
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), for its part, welcomed Arroyo's move, which she announced on Easter Sunday.
Anti-crime groups and families of victims of heinous crimes however raised a furor over the act saying it will embolden lawless elements to commit more crimes.
Minority congressmen, on the other hand, believe that Arroyo's move was meant to woo the church and break the opposition apart.
"The President is not seeking nor does she expect any political returns from her decision. In fact, she is taking the heavy flak for it. So let's leave politics out of this lawful and legitimate exercise of presidential prerogative. But we maintain that even hardened criminals should be given the chance to reform and transform themselves even as we leave to the Congress the final decision on whether or not the death penalty law should be abolished," added Bunye, who is also Presidential spokesman.
Bunye assured the public that the government would continue to uphold peace and order and ensure public safety. He also said the commutation of the sentences would not affect anti-crime efforts of the government.
He also said those under death row whose sentences were commuted would serve their life terms to the fullest.
Bunye clarified that the commutation only applies to death sentences that are already "final in judgment" - whether those convicted are for crimes of kidnap for ransom or terrorism.
He said cases punishable by death that are still on appeal, under review or on going like the plunder charge against former President Joseph Estrada is not covered by the commutation.
Bunye said that they understand the concerns and even the disappointment and hurt expressed by the victims and their families "but the President believes that learning to forgive without compromising criminal justice would be a good start for the nation to move on."
He said those against the commutation may bring the case before the Supreme Court but he is confident that the President's exercise of her prerogative to grant commutation is legal as it is supported by the Constitution.
Bunye added that the courts may continue to impose the capital punishment in heinous crimes and in cases that are punishable by death until the law is amended by Congress.
CBCP president Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said the Catholic Church had long opposed the death penalty and that Arroyo's decision to lift the death sentence on an estimated 1,000 convicts is a positive move.
Human rights lawyer Soliman Santos said Arroyo's move was politically motivated and that Arroyo is trying to appease the Catholic Church after opposing the government-supported people's initiative to amend the constitution.
"This was meant to court Catholic bishops, and she even timed it for Easter." said Santos.
Santos also said it was a "positive development from the point of human rights" but he still wishes that the capital punishment be completely abolished.
Lagdameo, meanwhile, invoked the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church on the death penalty and said "even when such penalty is seen as a kind of legislative defense on the part of the society", they believed that killing is not the solution to curb growing criminality in the Philippines.
"Modern society in fact has the means of effectively suppressing crime by rendering criminals harmless without definitively denying them the chance to reform. The growing aversion of public opinion towards the death penalty and the various provisions aimed at abolishing it or suspending its application constitute visible manifestation of a heightened moral consciousness," added Lagdameo.
Like Soliman, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz however described Arroyo's move as "a means to appease the CBCP which had earlier expressed its strong opposition to the so called people's initiative being pushed by groups supporting the President.
Cruz believes that despite the decision of Arroyo to commute the sentences of death row convicts, the bishops would still oppose Charter change.
Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles and Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iniguez said in separate interviews that it was "a good act because a great number of lives would be saved and be given the chance to be transformed".
"She indeed pleased the CBCP, the pro-life groups, the prisoners, the prisoners' families and all those who understood the meaning of Christ's life, teachings and sufferings," said Arguelles.
However, Arguelles hoped that the commutation of the death sentence was not politically motivated.
Iniguez, on the other hand, said "I give her credit for finally stating her view".
"She had that view for a long time. (I believe) She made that (decision) after her retreat in Baguio," Iniguez added.
The CBCP hoped that Congress would follow through on Arroyo's decision and pass a bill abolishing the death penalty.
Meanwhile, members of the opposition said Arroyo's decision to commute the death sentences of convicts is not only intended to woo the Catholic Church but as well to divide the opposition, which will save her administration.
House Minority Leader Francis Escudero and party-list Representative Teodoro Casiño of Bayan Muna expressed doubts on the sincerity of the President when she decided to commute the death sentences.
They said it was somehow a way of the administration not only to woo the Catholic Church but as well members of the opposition who are pro-life.
Escudero said he could not discount the possibility that the move "is another political ploy of the Palace, particularly intended to divide the opposition considering that there are members of the opposition who are against death
He also said if Malacanang is serious about its decision, then the President should certify as urgent pending bills calling for the abolition of death penalty.
Casiño, a pro-life advocate, said while he took Arroyo's decision in positive light, the President could further prove herself that she is serious about the matter by certifying as urgent all bills seeking to abolish the death penalty.
He added though that the issue would never divide the opposition with regard to seeking the ouster of Arroyo.
Muntinlupa City Representative Rufino Biazon, in a separate interview, doubted that the decision made by Malacañang was intended to divide the opposition but that it was obviously a move to woo the Catholic Church.
He added though that such decision has effectively circumvented the work of both the legislative and the judiciary, which passed the law and upheld it, respectively.
Ilocos Norte Representative Ma. Imelda "Imee" Marcos said the commutation of the sentences of those in death row is "not actually an issue of giving a new lease of life to convicts, but saving a presidency from death."
Administration congressmen, on the other hand, hit at the opposition for insisting that the move was another political gimmick of the Arroyo government.
They said the President's move is about making the right government policy on rendering justice. They added that no one can question the President's judgment to commute death sentences because that is her prerogative and it is a moral issue. (JMR/DBP/MSN/ Jonathan M. Mactal-UST intern/Sunnex)
(April 18, 2006 issue)
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