Friday, January 9, 2009

Death Depends

Right now, Congress is debating whether or not to revive the recently-abolished death penalty after the Alabang 20-somethings (they're not boys their in their early or mid-20s) Drug Bust.

The buy-bust op brought before the public how grave a problem illegal drugs are in this Republic. We now have the highest number of Illegal Drug cases in the region and most of those doing time or await trial in our prisons and jails are there for drug-related offenses.

Solons hope that the return of capital punishment would strike fear and deter those locked in this dangerous trade and addiction.

I would support death as well as long as those who are guilty are found to be guilty irregardless of economic and social status would serve their sentence.

Not quite true. While some did die of lethal injection, most were poor convicts who cannot afford a high-priced and well-connected lawyers who can absolve their wealthy clients on a technicality or 2.

It is not an equalizer as those who have more life will go scot-free or serve a lighter prison term in comfortable confinement at Bilibid than poorer inmates while awaiting parole.

If only the Alabang 20-somethings would fry like the 3 found guilty for raping Maggie De La Riva, who also came from rich and well-connected families. Unfortunately for those 3 executed, they raped someone who was not only well-off, she was an actress and was a big star at the time. If they wrecked someone more obscure like a college student or their own househelp, then this would not have even hit the news.