What the PH was Like When the Death Penalty was Legal

The Cory Aquino Era: First abolishment of the death penalty thanks to 1987 Constitution

The term of then-President Cory Aquino was the first time the death penalty was abolished. It was replaced by reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment. The abolishment made the Philippines the first Asian country to end the death penalty.

The Ramos Era: Death penalty returned due to rise of heinous crimes

Via inquirer.net

After the abolishment during Aquino’s term, the death penalty rose from the dead under the leadership of Fidel Ramos–a time that saw an increase in heinous crimes. The government reimposed the death penalty or Republic Act 7659, with 46 crimes that listed as punishable by death.

Instead of a firing squad, Ramos legislated the electric chair method again until a gas chamber could be installed.

The Estrada Era: Leo Echagaray and de facto moratorium on executions

Via kickerdaily.com

Former President Joseph Estrada led the nation from 1998 to 2001, a period which saw the highest number of executions due to the number of punishable crimes. Incidents climbed to at least 11,000 more than the previous year. Estrada continued the death penalty, but as the use of the electric chair was finally abolished, the chosen method of execution was lethal injection.

Things changed in 2003 when Leo Echegaray was granted a last-minute reprieve that could have saved the criminal. The then-President however failed to inform the execution authorities fast enough and Echegaray eventually met his life’s end. This led Estrada to call a moratorium on death penalty executions.

The Arroyo Era: Second suspension and reinstatement of the Death Penalty

Via indayvarona.com

Despite publicly announcing that she was against the death penalty, then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo cancelled the moratorium for executions from 2003 because of the pressure laid on her by rising threats to the country’s Filipino-Chinese community. She admitted that she was pro-life, but that circumstances always change when lives are in danger.

Circumstances did change–but for the better. The Supreme Court suspended the execution of Roderick Licayan and Roberto Lara, which relieved Arroyo of some of the pressure.

After a series of reprieves granted to 31 death row convicts, Arroyo finally signed the Republic Act No. 9346, also known as “An Act Prohibiting the Imposition of Death Penalty in the Philippines,” which repealed the Death Penalty Law.

The Death Penalty Law has since been untouched and denied by President Noynoy Aquino.

What’s your stand on the death penalty in the country? Share your thoughts in the comments below!