The House of Representatives will put the bill reviving the death penalty to a vote before it goes on summer vacation next month.

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate confirmed information reaching ABS-CBN News that the leadership announced during the supermajority caucus that it intends to put the bill to a vote on 2nd reading on March 8, and a vote on 3rd and final reading by March 15—the last session day before Congress adjourns for the summer.

ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, however, raised a question against the House Leadership's ruling to include all comments, statements and answers in the time allotted for each interpellator during the debates.

Previously, each interpellator in the plenary has 1 hour, but that only counts the questions.

"Sabi, each member who wishes to speak will be given 1 hour pero yung ruling ng chair, yung 1 hour kasama yung sagot ng sponsor at kahit pag may sumisingit na iba pati mga floor leader, kasama din sa 1 hour."

(They said each member who wishes to speak will be given 1 hour but the ruling of the chair is the 1 hour will include the answer of the sponsor and anyone else who wishes to speak up, including the floor leaders. It's all part of the hour.)

"Yung ganung interpretation, this will have implications not just for this issue of death penalty but for many other issues later. Halimbawa, yung tax reform o yung budget. Mahirap naman yung ganung interpretasyon. That's patently unreasonable."

(That kind of interpretation will have implications not just for the issue of death penalty but many other issues later. Examples are tax reform or the budget. That kind of interpretation is difficult. That's patently unreasonable.)

Bayan Muna belongs to the Mabayan bloc, which is now prepared for the consequences of their impending vote against the death penalty.

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez had said that congressmen will be asked to give up their leadership posts if they vote against the death penalty.

• READ: Speaker threatens to remove House leaders who block death penalty revival

ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio said the Makabayan bloc's position opposing the death penalty has not changed. He added that Makabayan lawmakers will have no problem giving up their positions as Deputy Speakers or committee chairmen if asked.

"Wala tayong problema na give up ang posisyon dahil di natin tatalikuran o bibitiwan ang ating prinsipyadong posisyon kontra sa death penalty," he said.

(We have no problem giving up the position because we will not turn our backs or let go of our principled position against the death penalty.)

His fellow lawmaker, ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, said she was surprised by the pronouncement of the Speaker. She added she is hopeful Alvarez will change his mind.

Two other lawmakers, Gabriela party-list Rep. Emmy de Jesus and Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao, also said lawmakers will maintain their independence.

Tinio said Makabayan lawmakers have yet to discuss as a bloc their next moves.

He also confirmed that during the supermajority caucus, opponents of the bill reviving the death penalty were allowed to talk.

Citizens’ Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) Party-list Rep. Sherwin Tugna said everyone was given a chance to voice their concerns.

"Marami (anti-death penalty). It was heated and I believe the pros and cons were tackled during the debate. Inisa-isa lahat ng mga provisions ng proposed bill. Sa kadulu-duluhan, kung ano sinasabi ni Speaker Alvarez on national TV, he reiterated those words," he said.

Tugna maintained everyone was free to speak and no one was barred from talking, even Deputy Speaker, Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo, who is opposed to the measure.

• READ: Alvarez to remove Arroyo as Deputy Speaker if she votes vs death penalty

DROPPING PLUNDER

Zarate said all discussions over potential amendments to the bill are not final since these have yet to be formally adopted into the measure.

Justice committee chairman Rey Umali said congressmen are working on a substitute bill that could see the reduction of crimes that maybe punished with death from the current 21 to just 4 or 5.

He said the death penalty may eventually be limited to illegal drugs offenses, murder, kidnapping carjacking and rape.

He said those in possession of illegal drugs from 10-50 grams may face life imprisonment while those possessing beyond that could face death.

On Wednesday, Speaker Alvarez already announced that plunder will be excluded from the list of crimes punishable with death.