Senator Robin Padilla has once again urged the reinstatement of the death penalty in the Philippines, citing the rise in violent crime and disregard for human life.
In a social media post on Wednesday, April 1, Padilla acknowledged that his position would be divisive but insisted it was necessary.
“Marami na naman ang magagalit sa akin,” he wrote. “İbalik na natin ang death penalty! Tsaka pag usapan kung ano ang mga sakop nito!”
The senator argued that rampant criminality and violations of the rights and dignity of Filipinos demand stronger deterrents.
“Sobra na ang krimen, ang pagsasawalang bahala sa buhay, kahihiyan at karapatan ng bawat Pilipino,” he added.
Padilla had previously raised the proposal during a Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs hearing in April 2023, linking it to efforts to prevent incidents like the assassination of former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and eight others.
The death penalty was abolished under the 1987 Constitution but reinstated during the administration of former President Joseph Estrada.
It was later repealed under former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, making the Philippines one of the countries that no longer impose capital punishment.