solare Barbers OK with death penalty for plunder convicts
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers — INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — While Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers agrees with proposals to reinstate the death penalty for corrupt government officials, he believes that only those convicted of plunder must be included.
In an ambush interview on Wednesday, Barbers was asked about House Bill No. 11211, or the proposed Death Penalty for Corruption Act filed by Zamboanga City 1st District Rep. Khymer Adan Olaso. Under the bill, appointed and elected government officials who will be convicted of graft, malversation, and plunder would face capital punishment through a firing squad.
Article continues after this advertisementAccording to Barbers, he also filed a bill seeking to allow the death penalty again as the highest form of punishment for certain violations like heinous crimes.
FEATURED STORIES NEWSINFO 2 killed, 6 wounded in Basilan clash NEWSINFO DepEd eyes enforcement of reduced Senior High School subjects in 2025 NEWSINFO Isko Moreno backs review of ‘outdated’ Manila health certificate ordinanceHowever, Barbers said he thinks it would be better to impose the death penalty only for those convicted of plunder so that the potential violator would be the mastermind and main beneficiary of the scheme and not a mere co-conspirator.
“I also filed a bill to reimpose the death penalty for certain heinous crimes … but I think in the course of the deliberation, maybe we can include graduated crimes and even plunder. Because I think there’s a strong sentiment among the people to reinstate the death penalty, including for the crime of plunder or corruption,” he said in Filipino.
Article continues after this advertisement“That is why plunder is the most logical crime to be included in the imposition of the penalty of death kasi may (because there is a) clear benefit for the player or actor. And of course, I think it is a serious step to really send a signal that corruption should not be taken lightly … should not be tolerated,” he added.
slots n betsArticle continues after this advertisementUnder Olaso’s bill, conviction for the following cases will merit the death penalty:
Article continues after this advertisement graft and corruption as defined under Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act malversation of public funds as defined under the Revised Penal Code. plunder as defined under R.A. No. 7080READ: Death by firing squad for corrupt gov’t officials pushed
However, including graft and malversation as crimes punishable by the death penalty may open up issues since government officials convicted for such cases do not suffer reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment, which is currently the heaviest sentence issued by courts.
Article continues after this advertisementFor example, in the recent conviction of former Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista for graft, he was sentenced to six years and one month as a minimum to 10 years as maximum.
Reclusion perpetual, on the other hand, ranges from prison time of 20 to 40 years.
READ: Sandigan finds former Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista guilty of graft
Meanwhile, a conviction for plunder, as stated in R.A. No. 7080, is punishable by life imprisonment with perpetual absolute disqualification from holding any public office. This penalty was given to Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla’s late aide, lawyer Richard Cambe, when he was convicted for his role in the pork barrel scam.
READ: Revilla acquitted; Napoles, Cambe convicted of plunder charges
Regarding the mode of death penalty proposed by Olaso, Barbers said he would leave this discussion up to the Majority.
“Those nations with the death penalty implement the penalty in the most acceptable and humane way. This is lethal injection,” he said.
“For me, personally, I don’t really mind whatever mode they want to implement the penalty, but what’s important is to reimpose the death penalty for heinous crimes, and crimes related to corruption and plunder,” he added.
Currently, the death penalty is not being implemented in the country, as it is disallowed by the 1987 Constitution unless for compelling reasons like heinous crimes.
But a few years after crafting the constitution, a strong push for the death penalty’s restoration due to increasing crime rates led to its re-establishment during the administration of former President Fidel Ramos.
It was implemented by Ramos’ successor, former President Joseph Estrada. However, it was repealed after former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Republic Act No. 9346 or an Act Prohibiting the Imposition of Death Penalty in the Philippines.
READ: What Went Before: Death Penalty Law
In September 2024, Barbers said the House quad committee may file a bill reviving the death penalty for heinous crimes, in response to the panel’s discovery of crimes and human rights violations.
READ: Quad comm mulls proposing death penalty revival for heinous crimes
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Barbers, lead presiding officer of the quad committee, said capital punishment may be an “effective deterrent” to the commission of heinous crimes.
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Vivant Corp.solare, an energy and water company, told the local bourse on Thursday that Vivant Renewable Energy Corp. (VREC) would divest its entire 32.26-percent stake as it seeks to boost its other business operations.
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