2. 2
Introduction
Every day, people are executed and sentenced to death
by the state as punishment for a variety of crimes –
sometimes for acts that should not be criminalized. In
some countries, it can be for drug-related offences, in
others it is reserved for terrorism-related acts and
murder. Some countries execute people who were under
18 years old when the crime was committed, others use
the death penalty against people with mental and
intellectual disabilities and several others apply the
death penalty after unfair trials – in clear violation of
international law and standards. People can spend
years on death row, not knowing when their time is up,
or whether they will see their families one last time.
3. 3
The death penalty violates the most fundamental
human right – the right to life. It is the ultimate
cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment.
The death penalty is discriminatory. An innocent
person may be released from prison for a crime
they did not commit, but an execution can never
be reversed.
Is death penalty right?
4. 4
What crimes get the death penalty?
Crimes punishable by death in
Philippines include aggravated murder,
other offences resulting in death, terrorism-
related crimes resulting in death, terrorism-
related cases not resulting in death, rape not
resulting in death, kidnapping not resulting
in death, drug trafficking not resulting in
death, treason, espionage and military
offenses not resulting in death.
5. What Republic Act is death penalty
in the Philippines?
Republic Act No. Seven Thousand Six
Hundred Fifty-Nine (R.A. No. 7659), otherwise
known as the Death Penalty Law, and all other
laws, executive orders and decrees, insofar as
they impose the death penalty are hereby
repealed or amended accordingly.
6. Is death penalty constitutional
in the Philippines?
The Philippines was the first Asian country to
abolish the death penalty under the 1987
Constitution, but it was re-imposed during the
administration of President Fidel Ramos to address
the rising crime rate in 1993, only to be abolished
again in 2006 after then President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo signed a law reducing maximum
punishment to life imprisonment.
7. 7
Does death penalty deter crime in
the Philippines?
But there is little evidence to prove that
the death penalty can be a deterrent. Instead
research has shown the punishment frequently
affects the most disadvantaged. In
the Philippines alone the Supreme Court said in
2004 that 71.77% of death penalty verdicts
handed by lower courts were wrong.
8. What can I say about death
penalty?
For me, I’m not agree to the death penalty because
there is no credible evidence that the death penalty
deters crime more effectively than long terms of
imprisonment. People commit murders largely in the
heat of passion, under the influence of alcohol or drugs,
or because they are mentally ill, giving little or no
thought to the possible consequences of their act. The
death penalty violates the most fundamental human
right – the right to life.
9. Disadvantages of Death
Penalty
⦁ It is the ultimate denial of
human rights when
implemented.
⦁ The death penalty can execute
someone who is possible
innocent.
⦁ The cost to prosecute the death
penalty is much higher than
other cases
⦁ There is no going back after the
execution takes place.
Advantages of Death
Penalty
• A sentence of life in prison is
disproportionate to the capital
crime
• The death penalty can provide a
deterrent against violent crime.
• It doesn’t need to be carried out
with brutality.
• The death penalty does not re-
victimize the affected family.
• It eliminates the possibility of an
escape and future victims.
• The application of capital
punishment in just ways can limit
prison overpopulation issues.