MANILA – The Liberal Party is taking a stand on the plan of President Rodrigo Duterte’s congressional allies to revive the death penalty.

We at the @LiberalPH strongly maintain our stand against the re-imposition of the death penalty. https://t.co/aDZ5dCshSg

— Liberal Party PH (@LiberalPH) February 20, 2017

In a position paper, the LP said it opposes the reimposition of the capital punishment because it is “ineffective” and “overly inflicted on the poor and powerless”.

“As a party that envisions and works for a just, prosperous, and more peaceful country, we at the Liberal Party strongly maintain our stand against the re-imposition of the death penalty, and support all opposition against the passage of a death penalty bill,” the party said in a statement.

Duterte’s allies at the House of Representatives are eager to put the bill reviving the death penalty to a vote as early as March, even as lawmakers opposing the measure accuse the majority of railroading the bill.

The situation in the Senate is different, however, as the upper chamber is reportedly divided on the issue.

In its statement, the LP raised several points in opposing the death penalty reimposition, chief of which is that it is not an effective deterrent to crimes.

“Numerous scientific studies conducted in various countries have clearly and indisputably established that the certainty of punishment is a more effective deterrent against crime compared to the severity of punishment,” it said.

The LP said national crime volume increased by 15.3% in 1999 where seven individuals were executed for different heinous crimes.

It added the death penalty revival will only affect the poor the most.

Citing survey data from the Free Legal Assistance Group in May 2004, the LP said “an overwhelming number of death penalty inmates belong to the poorest of the poor.”

“In other words, the death penalty disproportionately targets the most disadvantaged and vulnerable members of our society, those who have limited access to adequate legal representation and who are the most prone to have their rights disregarded or violated,” it said.

The political party also said that reimposing the death penalty in the Philippines would have damaging consequences, since the country’s justice system remains faulty.

Citing information from no less than the Supreme Court, the LP said trial court judges issued erroneous judgments in 71.77% of capital punishment cases tried.

The LP said the FLAG survey also revealed that one in 4 inmates punished with death only had 0 to 1 consultation with their trial lawyers.

“Most inmates were arrested without warrants, not informed of their constitutional rights upon arrest, and not assisted by counsel during the investigation,” the LP said.

The LP said the Philippines would also be risking its status in the international community if it will reimpose the death penalty, noting that the Philippines is a signatory to various pacts upholding human rights.

“Being part of an international community that upholds human rights, we are under obligation to maintain our commitments in ensuring our people's right to life, liberty, and security of person,” the LP said.

“The re-imposition of death penalty will violate these covenants and jeopardize our standing with our international allies, resulting in serious diplomatic, political, and economic consequences.”

The LP, the party of former President Benigno Aquino III and incumbent Vice President Leni Robredo, said the Duterte government must instead look into strengthening and reforming the country’s criminal justice system.

Specifically, it recommended that government convene the Joint Judicial Executive Legislative Advisory and Consultative Council (JELAC) “to allow the three branches of government to coordinate and come up with concrete solutions for reform.”

It also urged Congress to prioritize proposed legislation that will help our courts and implementing bodies to strengthen law enforcement and improve the administration of justice.