A SENATOR is pushing for the modernization of the country’s justice system, instead of reviving the death penalty.

In a public hearing held at the University of San Carlos (USC) Law School yesterday, Senator Francisco “Kiko” Pangilinan said that the National Government must introduce a major revamp of the country’s justice system as a way to deter crimes.

Pangilinan, a lawyer, decried moves of the House of Representatives to pass a measure that aims to revive the death penalty.

Pangilinan said that other countries have higher conviction rates, but, the Philippines only has at least 30 percent.

The senator also said that the National Government is not providing enough budget to the judicial branch. He said that only .8 percent from the entire national budget goes to the judiciary.

There are also problems on lack of courts, judges and prosecutors that need to be addressed.

“I’ve heard from the IBP (Integrated Bar of the Philippines) here in Cebu that there is one court handling 3,000 cases,” he said.

Pangilinan also urged President Rodrigo Duterte to convene the Judicial, Executive and Legislative Advisory Council to promote reforms in the judicial system.

Lawyer Renan Oliva, Mandaue City treasurer and an IBP member, agreed with Pangilinan on the need to improve the country’s justice system rather than revive the death penalty.