By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

House Bill 4727, which seeks to reimpose the death penalty, was approved on its third and final reading last night, with 254 voting yes, 54 no, and one abstention.
Of the 254, six congressmen representing Negros Occidental in the House of Representatives voted yes on the reimposition of death penalty.
The six affirmative votes were from Congressmen Melecio Yap (1st District), Alejandro Mirasol (5th District), Greg Gasataya (Bacolod Lone District), Leo Cueva (2nd District), Mercedes Alvarez (6th District), and Alfredo Benitez (3rd District).
4th District Rep. Juliet Ferrer, however, voted against the measure. Additionally, Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Stephen Paduano, who is from Bacolod City, also voted no.
In a phone interview, both Yap and Gasataya said there were compelling reasons why the death penalty must be reimposed, especially against those involved in illegal drugs.
Paduano, meanwhile, said he was following his faith and religious beliefs, adding criminals deserve a second chance in life.
Among the Negros Oriental votes, Representatives Manuel Sagarbarria (2nd District) and Arnulfo Teves (3rd District) approved the bill, while Jocelyn Limkaichong (1st District) opposed the legislation.
In a report by CNN Philippines, during the initial moments of the final reading, opposition congressmen tried to delay the voting by arguing voting was premature and does not comply with three-day rule, which is supposed to provide members of the House ample time to study the bill.
Albay Representative Edcel Lagman said the distribution of copies of the death penalty bill last Thursday was invalid, claiming staff, not congressmen, received the copies.
He added congressmen were only able to receive copies of the death penalty bill on Monday.
However, Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas said personal service to offices of the congressmen received by the clerk or staff is a valid delivery./WDJ