By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Women’s rights group and party-list Gabriela claimed House Bill 4727, which sought to reimpose the death penalty, was “railroaded.”
In an interview with Bombo Radyo-Bacolod, yesterday, Gabriela Representative Emmi de Jesus said the bill was hastily passed by members of congress.
According to De Jesus, the process in which the bill was passed was highly questionable, claiming the poor will be victimized by the bill.
She explained, as long as the criminal justice system in the Philippines is not amended, only the criminals who are living in poverty will be the ones “put on death row.”
De Jesus also said even though the Makabayan bloc voted against the bill, it does not mean they are against the ongoing campaign against illegal drugs. She explained they are also against the proliferation of illegal drugs, but they do not see the death penalty as the solution to the problem.
Last Tuesday, HB 4727 was passed in congress with 217 in favor, 54 against, and one abstention.
Among the Negros Occidental legislators who voted ‘yes’ were 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 voted against the bill./WDJ