MANILA - Two party-list lawmakers on Wednesday criticized Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez for threatening leaders to replace deputy speakers and committee chairmen who are against the revival of the death penalty.

Buhay Party-List Rep. Lito Atienza said there are still men and women in the Lower House with integrity who will stand by their principles and not allow themselves to be forced into supporting the proposed reimposition of the death penalty.

"This is a sad day for the 17th Congress. If Speaker [Pantaleon] Alvarez is twisting the arms of his majority, then he is committing a very serious mistake in doing that because he is now trampling on the principles of each member of his majority," Atienza said.

The House Speaker on Wednesday threatened to replace deputy speakers and committee chairmen who are against the administration bill.

• READ: Deputy speakers who oppose death penalty to be replaced: Alvarez

For his part, Kabayan party-list Rep. Harry Roque insisted that now is not the right time to support the death penalty, which he said was very divisive.

"This gives the enemies of this administration the traction that they need. This is the worst time to push for the death penalty," Roque said.

He added: "Ang pakiusap ko sa mayorya dito sa Kamara na sumusuporta kay Presidente, do not drive away our numbers to the enemy. You will drive away our numbers to the enemy if they persist in pushing for the death penalty."

Roque explained that if they persist in passing the death penalty law, it will be struck down as being unconstitutional.

"Because the Constitution says that treaties form parts of the laws of the land," he said.