The House of Representatives committee on dangerous drugs, has approved their version and endorsed the passage of a measure that will implement higher penalties to foreigners convicted of drug offenses – including death.

House Bill #1213 – “allows the imposition of the death penalty if prescribed under the national laws of the alien offender,” the bill’s authors, Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez and his brother, Maximo.

“This means that the imposition of the penalty for drug offenses as prescribed under the national law of the foreign national or the penalty under Republic Act 9165, whichever is higher, is the rule to follow,” they said.

Originally introduced into the 15th Congress – it was originally approved on a second and third reading by the House of Representatives. The bill however was not acted upon by the Senate.

Rodriguez brothers said: “there are some sectors of society who believe that this law is not just and equitable because while foreigners may not be executed in the Philippines for drug trafficking, Filipinos who commit the same are executed in other countries.”

The death penalty in the Philippines had been abolished since 2006.

The brothers said that the abolished death penalty has allowed foreigners to establish drug factories in the country without threat of being executed.

The duo cited China as an example, where several Filipinos have been caught trafficking and manufacturing drugs and been executed for their crimes.

“While there is no reason to question the laws of foreign countries, we must however, ensure that our countrymen do not suffer the short end of the stick,” the Rodriguez brothers said.

While the law leaves much to be desired, the two sided attempt at creating a death penalty in a country that has no death penalty seems to be a pure waste of time.

No government can or will be sustainable in any scope of law if a bill such as this receives approval.

Like Us on Facebook