PROVINCIAL Board (PB) members shelved a proposed resolution supporting the plan to revive the death penalty for heinous crimes, but approved one that supports the curfew for minors.
Though PB Member Arleigh Sitoy was absent in Monday's session, the board went on to approve his resolution supporting the 10 p.m. curfew for minors.
However, the resolution that “strongly supports the reimposition of the death penalty over heinous crimes as a way of deterring crimes, to command obedience to the State’s authority especially on its criminal laws and to promote the maintenance of peace and order for the general public” was not taken up or submitted to the body for deliberation.
In his proposed resolution, Sitoy said “the unnecessary loss of human life perpetrated by such lawless criminals and unsafe atmosphere add to the Filipinos’ sufferings and is reason enough to rally for the reimposition of death penalty for heinous crimes.”
Acting Governor Agnes Magpale said PB members decided to wait for Sitoy to appear in their next regular session to discuss the resolution.
Magpale attended the PB members’ caucus to organize committee membership and chairmanship, in preparation for the entry of the newly elected PB members.
As for the resolution on the curfew, Sitoy said that minors have no reason to stay on the streets after 10 p.m., unless they are accompanied by their parents and relatives for certain occasions.
Sitoy lamented that minors are sometimes seen drinking beer or liquor with their peers after 10 p.m., and some smoke or take other illegal substances.
He said that by 10 p.m., the minors should already be home sleeping so they can be in school early the next day, or do more important things like studying “to build their future and become valuable members of society.”
The resolution cited Section 16 of the Local Government Code, which states: “Every local government shall ensure and support, among other things, the preservation and enrichment of culture, promote health and safety, enhance the right of the people to a balanced ecology, encourage and support the development of appropriate and self-reliant, scientific and technological capabilities ,improve public morals, enhance economic prosperity and social justice, promote full employment of their residents, maintain peace and order and preserve the comfort and convenience of their inhabitants.”