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BY TIFFANY ANNE TAN
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BACOLOD City – The Diocese of Bacolod is against the re-imposition of the death penalty.
Father Felix Pasquin, the diocese’s Social Communications head and San Sebastian Cathedral rector, urged lawmakers to follow God’s “eternal law” following the House of Representatives’ sub-panel approval of the proposed bill reviving the death penalty.
“If lawmakers will not adhere to God’s laws, chaos or disorder will result,” Pasquin warned.
“Eternal law” is divine wisdom that directs all changes towards their final end, he explained.
“Natural law” is man’s participation in the “eternal law,” added Pasquin.
The death penalty cannot be justified except in extreme cases, he stressed, adding that “I don’t believe our situation now calls for the re-imposition of the death penalty.”
“How about passing laws and resolutions strengthening our criminal justice system and for the church to work harder to form consciences,” said Pasquin.
Vice Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson of Negros Occidental said he is in favor of reviving the death penalty but only for heinous crimes.
“Lethal injection should be the only method,” Lacson added.
Tuesday last week, the justice committee of the House of Representatives said it will soon start deliberating on the death penalty bill./PN
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