People vs Echegaray.doc

8/14/2019 People vs Echegaray.doc

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EN BANC

[G.R. No. 117472. February 7, 1997.]

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES,plaintiff-appellee, vs. LEOECHEGARAY y PILO,accused-appellant.

The Solicitor General for plaintiffappellee.

Free Legal Assistance Group Anti-Death Penalty Task Forcefor a!!u"e#appellant.

SYLLABUS

1.RE$E%&A' 'A() E*&%ENCE) AFF&%A*&+ F %E-&-+ANCE) REGAR%E%(&+ %&-FA*R &N CA-E A+ BAR. / +0i" i" one o!!a"ion 0ere an affi#ait of#e"i"tan!e 3u"t be rear#e# it0 #i"faor ina"3u!0 a" t0e i!ti3, in 0er ten#er ae,3anife"te# in !ourt t0at "0e a" pur"uin t0e rape !0are" aain"t t0e a!!u"e#appellant.+0i" !ourt e5plaine# in t0e !a"e ofPeople vs.Gerry Ballabare, G.R. No. 1671,pro3ulate# on Noe3ber 19, 1998, t0at :A" pointe# out inPeople vs.Li ;24 196-CRA 768 [1996], 0i!0 i" al"o !ite# by t0e a!!u"e#appellant, an affi#ait of #e"i"tan!ei" 3erely an a##itional roun# to buttre"" t0e a!!u"e#u#i!e# an# preente#, ineffe!t, fro3 0ain 0i" #ay in !ourt to #efen# 0i3"elf.

.'&+&CA' 'A() -+A+E) --E--E- (ER + -EC?RE +E -C&E+@AGA&N-+ +REA+ENE% AN% AC+?A' E*&'. / ne of t0e in#i"pen"able poer"of t0e "tate i" t0e poer to "e!ure "o!iety aain"t t0reatene# an# a!tual eil. ur"uant tot0i", t0e lei"latie ar3 of oern3ent ena!t" !ri3inal la" t0at #efine an# puni"0 illeal


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a!t" t0at 3ay be !o33itte# by it" on "ub>e!t", t0e e5e!utie aen!ie" enfor!e t0e"ela", an# t0e >u#i!iary trie" an# "enten!e" t0e !ri3inal" in a!!or#an!e it0 t0e"e la".

4.CR&$&NA' 'A() ENA'+@) %EA+ -EN+ENCE) &$-AB'E (ERE +E'A( &+-E'F R*&%E- +EREFR. / &n ar#en, e rule# :+0e penalty

!o3plaine# of i" neit0er !ruel, un>u"t nor e5!e""ie. &n!"-parte e33ler, 18 ?.-., 48,t0e ?nite# -tate" -upre3e Court "ai# t0at puni"03ent" are !ruel 0en t0ey inoletorture or a linerin #eat0, but t0e puni"03ent of #eat0 i" not !ruel, it0in t0e 3eaninof t0at or# a" u"e# in t0e !on"titution. &t i3plie" t0ere "o3et0in in0u3an an#barbarou", "o3et0in 3ore t0an t0e 3ere e5tinui"03ent of life.: ;1 0il. 741, 747[194]. Con"e=uently, e 0ae ti3e an# aain e3p0a"ie# t0at our !ourt" are not t0efora for a protra!te# #ebate on t0e 3orality or propriety of t0e #eat0 "enten!e 0ere t0ela it"elf proi#e" t0erefor in "pe!ifi! an# ell#efine# !ri3inal a!t". +0u" e 0a# rule#in t0e 19H1 !a"e of 'i3a!o t0at :. . . t0ere are =uite a nu3ber of people 0o 0one"tlybeliee t0at t0e "upre3e penalty i" eit0er 3orally ron or uni"e or ineffe!tie.

oeer, a" lon a" t0at penalty re3ain" in t0e "tatute booD", an# a" lon a" our !ri3inalla proi#e" for it" i3po"ition on !ertain !a"e", it i" t0e #uty of >u#i!ial offi!er" tore"pe!t an# apply t0e la rear#le"" of t0eir priate opinion".: ; 0il. 8, 4 [19H1]an# t0i" e 0ae reiterate# in t0e 199H !a"e ofPeople vs.#eneracion, 249 -CRA 248,2H [199H].

H.&%.) &%.) &%.) REI?&RE$EN+ FR +E RE-+RA+&N +EREF. / Arti!le &&&,-e!tion 19 ;1 of t0e 197 Con"titution plainly e"t" in Conre"" t0e poer to rei3po"et0e #eat0 penalty :for !o3pellin rea"on" inolin 0einou" !ri3e".: +0i" poer i" not"ub"u3e# in t0e plenary lei"latie poer of Conre"", for it i" "ub>e!t to a !lear "0oin

of :!o3pellin rea"on" inolin 0einou" !ri3e".: +0e !on"titutional e5er!i"e of t0i"li3ite# poer to rei3po"e t0e #eat0 penalty entail" ;1 t0at Conre"" #efine or #e"!ribe0at i" 3eant by 0einou" !ri3e") ;2 t0at Conre"" "pe!ify an# penalie by #eat0, only!ri3e" t0at =ualify a" 0einou" in a!!or#an!e it0 t0e #efinition or #e"!ription "et in t0e#eat0 penalty bill an#Jor #e"inate !ri3e" puni"0able by reclusion perpetua to #eat0 in0i!0 latter !a"e, #eat0 !an only be i3po"e# upon t0e atten#an!e of !ir!u3"tan!e" #ulyproen in !ourt t0at !0ara!terie t0e !ri3e to be 0einou" in a!!or#an!e it0 t0e #efinitionor #e"!ription "et in t0e #eat0 penalty bill) an# ; t0at Conre"", in ena!tin t0i" #eat0penalty bill be "inularly 3otiate# by :!o3pellin rea"on" inolin 0einou" !ri3e".:Arti!le &&&, -e!tion 19 ;1 of t0e 197 Con"titution "i3ply "tate" t0at Conre"", for!o3pellin rea"on" inolin 0einou" !ri3e", 3ay rei3po"e t0e #eat0 penalty. Not0inin t0e "ai# proi"ion i3po"e" a re=uire3ent t0at for a #eat0 penalty bill to be ali#, apo"itie 3anife"tation in t0e for3 of a 0i0er in!i#en!e of !ri3e "0oul# fir"t be per!eie#an# "tati"ti!ally proen folloin t0e "u"pen"ion of t0e #eat0 penalty. Neit0er #oe" t0e"ai# proi"ion re=uire t0at t0e #eat0 penalty be re"orte# to a" a la"t re!our"e 0en allot0er !ri3inal refor3" 0ae faile# to abate !ri3inality in "o!iety. &t i" i33aterial an#irreleant t0at R.A. No. 78H9 !ite" t0at t0ere 0a" been an :alar3in up"ure of "u!0!ri3e",: for t0e "a3e a" neer inten#e# by "ai# la to be t0e yar#"ti!D to #eter3ine t0e


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e5i"ten!e of !o3pellin rea"on" inolin 0einou" !ri3e". Fittinly, t0u", 0at R.A. No.78H9 "tate" i" t0at :t0e Conre"", in t0e intere"t of >u"ti!e, publi! or#er an# rule of la,an# t0e nee# to rationalie an# 0ar3onie t0e penal "an!tion" for 0einou" !ri3e", fin#"!o3pellin rea"on" to i3po"e t0e #eat0 penalty for "ai# !ri3e".:

8.&%.) &%.) &%.) &%.) E&N?- CR&$E, %EF&NE%. / &n t0e "e!on# 0erea" !lau"e oft0e prea3ble of R.A. No. 78H9, e fin# t0e #efinition or #e"!ription of 0einou" !ri3e".-ai# !lau"e proi#e" t0at :. . . t0e !ri3e" puni"0able by #eat0 un#er t0i" A!t are 0einou"for bein rieou", o#iou" an# 0ateful offen"e" an# 0i!0, by rea"on of t0eir in0erent or3anife"t i!De#ne"", i!iou"ne"", atro!ity an# perer"ity are repunant an# outraeou" tot0e !o33on "tan#ar#" an# nor3" of #e!en!y an# 3orality in a >u"t, !iilie# an# or#ere#"o!iety.: Ku"ti!e -antiao apunan, in 0i" #i""entin opinion inPeople vs.Alicando, 2H1-CRA 29 ;199H tra!e# t0e ety3oloi!al root of t0e or# :0einou": to t0e Early-partan" or#", :0aineu",: 3eanin, 0ateful an# abo3inable, 0i!0, in turn, a" fro3t0e GreeD prefi5 :0aton,: #enotin a!t" "o 0atefully or "0o!Dinly eil. (e fin# t0e

foreoin #efinition or #e"!ription to be a "uffi!ient !riterion of 0at i" to be !on"i#ere#a 0einou" !ri3e. +0i" !riterion i" #eliberately un#etaile# a" to t0e !ir!u3"tan!e" of t0ei!ti3, t0e a!!u"e#, pla!e, ti3e, t0e 3anner of !o33i""ion of !ri3e, it" pro5i3ate!on"e=uen!e" an# effe!t" on t0e i!ti3 a" ell a" on "o!iety, to affor# t0e "enten!inaut0ority "uffi!ient leeay to e5er!i"e 0i" #i"!retion in i3po"in t0e appropriate penaltyin !a"e" 0ere R.A. No. 78H9 i3po"e" not a 3an#atory penalty of #eat0 but t0e 3orefle5ible penalty of reclusion perpetuato #eat0.

7.&%.) &%.) &%.) R.A. No. 78H9, &%EN+&F&E- CR&$E- (ARRAN+&NG $AN%A+R@%EA+ ENA'+@ A- (E'' A- +-E ?N&-AB'E B@ REC'?-&N

ERE+?A + %EA+. / &n"ofar a" t0e ele3ent of 0einou"ne"" i" !on!erne#, R.A.No. 78H9 0a" !orre!tly i#entifie# !ri3e" arrantin t0e 3an#atory penalty of #eat0. A"to t0e ot0er !ri3e" in R.A. No. 78H9 puni"0e# by reclusion perpetua to #eat0, t0ey area#3ittinly no le"" abo3inable t0an t0o"e 3an#atorily penalie# by #eat0. +0e properti3e to #eter3ine t0eir 0einou"ne"" in !onte3plation of la, i" 0en on auto3ati!reie, e are !alle# to pa"" on a #eat0 "enten!e inolin !ri3e" puni"0able byreclusion perpetua to #eat0 un#er R.A. No. 78H9, it0 t0e trial !ourt 3etin out t0e #eat0"enten!e in e5er!i"e of >u#i!ial #i"!retion. +0i" i" not to "ay, 0oeer, t0at t0earaatin !ir!u3"tan!e" un#er t0e Rei"e# enal Co#e nee# be a##itionally allee# a"e"tabli"0in t0e 0einou"ne"" of t0e !ri3e for t0e trial !ourt to ali#ly i3po"e t0e #eat0penalty in t0e !ri3e" un#er R.A. No. 78H9 0i!0 are puni"0e# it0 t0e fle5ible penaltyof reclusion perpetua to #eat0. &n t0e fir"t pla!e, t0e 197 Con"titution #i# not a3en# orrepeal t0e proi"ion" of t0e Rei"e# enal Co#e relatin to araatin !ir!u3"tan!e".-e!on#ly, R.A. No. 78H9, 0ile it "pe!ifie" !ir!u3"tan!e" t0at enerally =ualify a !ri3eproi#e# t0erein to be puni"0e# by t0e 3a5i3u3 penalty of #eat0, neit0er a3en#" norrepeal" t0e araatin !ir!u3"tan!e" un#er t0e Rei"e# enal Co#e.


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.&%.) &%.) &%.) (EN &$-AB'E. / Con"truin R.A. No. 78H9 inpari ateria it0t0e Rei"e# enal Co#e, #eat0 3ay be i3po"e# 0en ;1 araatin !ir!u3"tan!e"atten# t0e !o33i""ion of t0e !ri3e a" to 3aDe operatie t0e proi"ion of t0e Rei"e#enal Co#e rear#in t0e i3po"ition of t0e 3a5i3u3 penalty, an# ;2 ot0er!ir!u3"tan!e" atten# t0e !o33i""ion of t0e !ri3e 0i!0 in#ubitably !0ara!terie t0e

"a3e a" 0einou" in !onte3plation of R.A. No. 78H9 t0at >u"tify t0e i3po"ition of #eat0,albeit t0e i3po"able penalty i" reclusion perpetua to #eat0. (it0out #iffi!ulty, eun#er"tan# t0e rationale for t0e ui#e# #i"!retion rante# in t0e trial !ourt to !onie!ir!u3"tan!e" t0at !0ara!terie t0e !o33i""ion of t0e !ri3e a" 0einou". Certainly t0ere i"an infinity of !ir!u3"tan!e" t0at 3ay atten# t0e !o33i""ion of a !ri3e to t0e "a3e e5tentt0at t0ere i" no tellin t0e eil t0at 3an i" !apable of. +0e lei"lature !annot an# nee# notfore"ee an# in"!ribe in la ea!0 an# eery loat0"o3e a!t 3an i" !apable of. &t i""uffi!ient t0u" t0at R.A. No. 78H9 proi#e" t0e te"t an# yar#"ti!D for t0e #eter3ination oft0e leal "ituation arrantin t0e i3po"ition of t0e "upre3e penalty of #eat0.

9.&%.) &%.) &%.) RE-+RA+&N +EREF) RA+&NA'E. / +0e #eat0 penalty i"i3po"e# in 0einou" !ri3e" be!au"e t0e perpetrator" t0ereof 0ae !o33itte# unforiablye5e!rable a!t" t0at 0ae "o #eeply #e0u3anie# a per"on or !ri3inal a!t" it0 "eerely#e"tru!tie effe!t" on t0e national effort" to lift t0e 3a""e" fro3 ab>e!t poerty t0rou0oranie# oern3ental "trateie" ba"e# on a #i"!ipline# an# 0one"t !itienry, an#be!au"e t0ey 0ae "o !au"e# irreparable an# "ub"tantial in>ury to bot0 t0eir i!ti3 an# t0e"o!iety an# a repetition of t0eir a!t" oul# po"e a!tual t0reat to t0e "afety of in#ii#ual"an# t0e "urial of oern3ent, t0ey 3u"t be per3anently preente# fro3 #oin "o. At

any rate, t0i" !ourt 0a" no #oubt" a" to t0e innate 0einou"ne"" of t0e !ri3e of rape, a" e0ae 0el# in t0e !a"e ofPeople vs. $ristobal, G.R. No. 118279, pro3ulate# on Kanuary29, 1998 :Rape i" t0e for!ible iolation of t0e "e5ual inti3a!y of anot0er per"on. &t #oe"in>ury to >u"ti!e an# !0arity. Rape #eeply oun#" t0e re"pe!t, free#o3, an# p0y"i!al an#3oral interity to 0i!0 eery per"on 0a" a ri0t. &t !au"e" rae #a3ae t0at !an 3arDt0e i!ti3 for life. &t i" alay" an intrin"i!ally eil a!t . . . an outrae upon #e!en!y an##inity t0at 0urt" not only t0e i!ti3 but t0e "o!iety it"elf.:

R E S O L U T I O N

PER CURIAM p

n Kune 2H, 1998, e ren#ere# our #e!i"ion in t0e in"tant !a"e affir3in t0e !oni!tionof t0e a!!u"e#appellant for t0e !ri3e of rapin 0i" tenyear ol# #au0ter. +0e !ri3e0ain been !o33itte# "o3eti3e in April, 1994, #urin 0i!0 ti3e Republi! A!t ;R.A.


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No. 78H9, !o33only Dnon a" t0e %eat0 enalty 'a, a" alrea#y in effe!t, a!!u"e#appellant a" ineitably 3ete# out t0e "upre3e penalty of #eat0.

n Kuly 9, 1998, t0e a!!u"e#appellant ti3ely file# a $otion for Re!on"i#eration 0i!0fo!u"e# on t0e "ini"ter 3otie of t0e i!ti3


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&n "u3, t0e -upple3ental $otion for Re!on"i#eration rai"e" t0ree ; 3ain i""ue" ;13i5e# fa!tual an# leal 3atter" relatin to t0e trial pro!ee#in" an# fin#in") ;2 allee#in!o3peten!e of a!!u"e#appellantu#3ent of !oni!tion, e are
http://www.cdasiaonline.com/search/show_article/13488?search=title%3A+(echegaray)#footnoteshttp://www.cdasiaonline.com/search/show_article/13488?search=title%3A+(echegaray)#footnoteshttp://www.cdasiaonline.com/search/show_article/13488?search=title%3A+(echegaray)#footnotes


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a"De# to !on"i#er for t0e fir"t ti3e, by ay of a -upple3ental $otion forRe!on"i#eration, t0e folloin 3atter"

at0e affi#ait of #e"i"tan!e ritten by t0e i!ti3 0i!0 a!te# a" a bar tot0e !ri3inal pro"e!ution for rape aain"t t0e a!!u"e#appellant)

bt0e auene"" attribute# to t0e #ate of t0e !o33i""ion of t0e offen"e int0e Co3plaint 0i!0 #eprie# t0e a!!u"e#appellant fro3a#e=uately #efen#in 0i3"elf)

!t0e failure of t0i" Court to !learly e"tabli"0 t0e =ualifyin !ir!u3"tan!et0at pla!e# t0e a!!u"e#appellant it0in t0e !oerae of t0e %eat0enalty 'a)

#t0e #enial of #ue pro!e"" an# t0e 3anife"t bia" e50ibite# by t0e trial

!ourt #urin t0e trial of t0e rape !a"e.Apparently, after a !areful "!rutiny of t0e foreoin point" for re!on"i#eration, t0e onlyleiti3ate i""ue t0at (e !an ta!Dle relate" to t0e Affi#ait of %e"i"tan!e 0i!0 tou!0e"on t0e la!D of >uri"#i!tion of t0e trial !ourt to 0ae pro!ee#e# it0 t0e pro"e!ution of t0ea!!u"e#appellant !on"i#erin t0at t0e i""ue of >uri"#i!tion oer t0e "ub>e!t 3atter 3ay berai"e# at any ti3e, een #urin appeal. 2

&t 3u"t be "tre""e# t0at #urin t0e trial pro!ee#in" of t0e rape !a"e aain"t t0e a!!u"e#appellant, it appeare# t0at #e"pite t0e a#3i""ion 3a#e by t0e i!ti3 0er"elf in open !ourtt0at "0e 0a# "ine# an Affi#ait of %e"i"tan!e, "0e, neert0ele"", :"tronly pointe# outt0at "0e i" not it0#rain t0e !0are aain"t t0e a!!u"e# be!au"e t0e latter 3i0t #o t0e"a3e "e5ual a""ault" to ot0er o3en.: 3+0u", t0i" i" one o!!a"ion 0ere an affi#ait of#e"i"tan!e 3u"t be rear#e# it0 #i"faor ina"3u!0 a" t0e i!ti3, in 0er ten#er ae,3anife"te# in !ourt t0at "0e a" pur"uin t0e rape !0are" aain"t t0e a!!u"e#appellant.

(e 0ae e5plaine# in t0e !a"e ofPeople v. Gerry Ballabare, 4t0at

:A" pointe# out inPeople v.Li;24 196 -CRA 768 [1996], 0i!0 i" al"o !ite#by t0e a!!u"e#appellant, an affi#ait of #e"i"tan!e i" 3erely an a##itionalroun# to buttre"" t0e a!!u"e#


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pro"e!ution aain"t t0e a!!u"e#appellant, parti!ularly on t0e trial !ourtu#i!e# an# preente#, in effe!t, fro3 0ain 0i" #ay in !ourt to#efen# 0i3"elf. 7

&n t0e in"tant !a"e, e beliee t0at t0e for3er !oun"el of t0e a!!u"e#appellant to 0o3t0e F'AG layer" no i3pute in!o3peten!y 0a# a3ply e5er!i"e# t0e re=uire# or#inary#ilien!e or t0at rea"onable #e!ree of !are an# "Dill e5pe!te# of 0i3 relatie to 0i" !lient


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!ri3inal la" t0at #efine an# puni"0 illeal a!t" t0at 3ay be !o33itte# by it" on"ub>e!t", t0e e5e!utie aen!ie" enfor!e t0e"e la", an# t0e >u#i!iary trie" an# "enten!e"t0e !ri3inal" in a!!or#an!e it0 t0e"e la".

Alt0ou0 penoloi"t", t0rou0out 0i"tory, 0ae not "toppe# #ebatin on t0e !au"e" of

!ri3inal be0aior an# t0e purpo"e" of !ri3inal puni"03ent, our !ri3inal la" 0ae beenper!eie# a" relatiely "table an# fun!tional "in!e t0e enfor!e3ent of t0e Rei"e# enalCo#e on Kanuary 1, 192, t0i" notit0"tan#in o!!a"ional oppo"ition to t0e #eat0 penaltyproi"ion" t0erein. +0e Rei"e# enal Co#e, a" it a" oriinally pro3ulate#, proi#e#for t0e #eat0 penalty in "pe!ifie# !ri3e" un#er "pe!ifi! !ir!u3"tan!e". A" early a" 18,t0ou0, !apital puni"03ent 0a# entere# our leal "y"te3 t0rou0 t0e ol# enal Co#e,0i!0 a" a 3o#ifie# er"ion of t0e -pani"0 enal Co#e of 176.

+0e oppo"ition to t0e #eat0 penalty unifor3ly tooD t0e for3 of a !on"titutional =ue"tionof 0et0er or not t0e #eat0 penalty i" a !ruel, un>u"t, e5!e""ie or unu"ual puni"03ent in

iolation of t0e !on"titutional pro"!ription aain"t !ruel an# unu"ual puni"03ent". (eun!0aninly an"ere# t0i" =ue"tion in t0e neatie in t0e !a"e" of&arden v.Director ofPrison, People v.Liaco, 9People v.$aano, 16People v.Puda11an#People v.%arcos, 12&n&arden, e rule#

:+0e penalty !o3plaine# of i" neit0er !ruel, un>u"t nor e5!e""ie. &n!"-partee33ler, 18 ?.-., 48, t0e ?nite# -tate" -upre3e Court "ai# t0at


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#eat0. +0e li"t of !apital offen"e" lent0ene# a" t0e lei"lature re"pon#e# to t0ee3eren!ie" of t0e ti3e". &n 1941, Co33onealt0 A!t ;C.A. No. 818 a##e# e"pionaeto t0e li"t. &n t0e 19H6", at t0e 0ei0t of t0e uD rebellion, t0e oern3ent ena!te#Republi! A!t ;R.A. No. 1766, ot0eri"e Dnon a" t0e Anti-uber"ion 'a, 0i!0!arrie# t0e #eat0 penalty for lea#er" of t0e rebellion. Fro3 1971 to 1972, 3ore !apital

offen"e" ere !reate# by 3ore la", a3on t0e3, t0e Antii>a!Din 'a, t0e%anerou" %ru" A!t, an# t0e AntiCarnappin 'a. %urin 3artial la, re"i#ential%e!ree ;.%. No. 188 a" ena!te# penaliin it0 #eat0, a3on ot0er", !ri3e"inolin 0o3i!i#e !o33itte# it0 an unli!en"e# firear3.

&n t0e after3at0 of t0e 198 reolution t0at #i"3antle# t0e $ar!o" rei3e an# le# to t0enullifi!ation of t0e 197 Con"titution, a Con"titutional Co33i""ion a" !onene#folloin appoint3ent" t0ereto by Coraon A=uino 0o a" !atapulte# to poer by t0epeople.

+a"De# it0 for3ulatin a !0arter t0at e!0oe" t0e ne foun# free#o3 of a re>uenate#people, t0e Con"titutional Co33i""ioner" roupe# t0e3"ele" into orDin !o33ittee"a3on 0i!0 i" t0e Bill of Ri0t" Co33ittee it0 Ko"e B. 'aurel, Kr.a" C0air3an an#Fat0er Koa=uin G. Berna", -.K., a" *i!eC0air3an.

n Kuly 17, 198, Fat0er Berna" pre"ente# t0e !o33ittee #raft of t0e propo"e# bill ofri0t" to t0e re"t of t0e !o33i""ion. (0at i" no Arti!le &&&, -e!tion 19 ;1 of t0e 197Con"titution a" fir"t #eno3inate# a" -e!tion 22 an# a" oriinally or#e# a" follo"

:E5!e""ie fine" "0all not be i3po"e#, nor !ruel, #era#in or in0u3anpuni"03ent, or t0e #eat0 penalty infli!te#. %eat0 penalty alrea#y i3po"e# "0all

be !o33ute# to re!lu"ion perpetua.:

Fat0er Berna" e5plaine# t0at t0e foreoin proi"ion a" t0e re"ult of a !on"en"u" a3ont0e 3e3ber" of t0e Bill of Ri0t" Co33ittee t0at t0e #eat0 penalty "0oul# be aboli"0e#.ain aree# to aboli"0 t0e #eat0 penalty, t0ey pro!ee#e# to #eliberate on 0o t0eabolition a" to be #one / 0et0er t0e abolition "0oul# be #one by t0e Con"titution orby t0e lei"lature / an# t0e 3a>ority ote# for a !on"titutional abolition of t0e #eat0penalty. Fat0er Berna" e5plaine#

:. . . [+]0ere a" a #ii"ion in t0e Co33ittee not on 0et0er t0e #eat0 penalty

"0oul# be aboli"0e# or not, but rat0er on 0et0er t0e abolition "0oul# be #oneby t0e Con"titution / in 0i!0 !a"e it !annot be re"tore# by t0e lei"lature /or left to t0e lei"lature. +0e 3a>ority ote# for t0e !on"titutional abolition oft0e #eat0 penalty. An# t0e rea"on i" t0at !apital puni"03ent i" in0u3an for t0e!oni!t an# 0i" fa3ily 0o are trau3atie# by t0e aitin, een if it i" neer!arrie# out. +0ere i" no ei#en!e t0at t0e #eat0 penalty #eterre# #ea#ly!ri3inal", 0en!e, life "0oul# not be #e"troye# >u"t in t0e 0ope t0at ot0er lie"3i0t be "ae#. A""u3in 3a"tery oer t0e life of anot0er 3an i" >u"t too


11/67

pre"u3ptuou" for any 3an. +0e fa!t t0at t0e #eat0 penalty a" an in"titution 0a"been t0ere fro3 ti3e i33e3orial "0oul# not #eter u" fro3 reiein it. u3anlife i" 3ore aluable t0an an in"titution inten#e# pre!i"ely to "ere 0u3an life.-o, ba"i!ally, t0i" i" t0e "u33ary of t0e rea"on" 0i!0 ere pre"ente# in"upport of t0e !on"titutional abolition of t0e #eat0 penalty:.16

+0e oriinal or#in of Arti!le &&&, -e!tion 19 ;1, 0oeer, #i# not "urie t0e #ebatet0at it in"tiate#. Co33i""ioner Napoleon G. Ra3a fir"t pointe# out t0at :neer in our0i"tory 0a" t0ere been a 0i0er in!i#en!e of !ri3e: an# t0at :!ri3inality a" at it" enit0#urin t0e la"t #e!a#e:. 17?lti3ately, t0e #i""ent #efine# it"elf to an unillinne"" toab"olutely e5!i"e t0e #eat0 penalty fro3 our leal "y"te3 an# leae "o!iety 0elple"" int0e fa!e of a future up"ure of !ri3e" or ot0er "i3ilar e3eren!ie". A" Co33i""ionerRu"ti!o F. #e lo" Reye", Kr. "ue"te#, :alt0ou0 e aboli"0 t0e #eat0 penalty in t0eCon"titution, e "0oul# affor# "o3e a3ount of fle5ibility to future lei"lation,: 18an# 0i"!on!ern a" a3plifie# by t0e interpellatory re3arD" of Co33i""ioner 'uu3 '.Co33i""ioner an# no A""o!iate Ku"ti!e Floren Reala#o, Co33i""ioner Cri"pino $.#e Ca"tro, Co33i""ioner A3bro"io B. a#illa, Co33i""ioner C0ri"tian $on"o#,Co33i""ioner Fran!i"!o A. Ro#rio, an# Co33i""ioner Ri!ar#o Ro3ulo. Co33i""ioner+eo#oro C. a#illa put it "u!!in!tly in t0e folloin e5!0ane it0 Co33i""ionerBa!ani

:B&- BACAN&. . . . At pre"ent, t0ey e5pli!itly 3aDe it !lear t0at t0e !0ur!00a" neer !on#e3ne# t0e ri0t of t0e "tate to infli!t !apital puni"03ent.

$R. A%&''A. . . . -o it i" rante# t0at t0e "tate i" not #eprie# of t0e ri0teen fro3 a 3oral "tan#point of i3po"in or pre"!ribin !apital puni"03ent.

B&- BACAN&.@e". (0at & a3 "ayin i" t0at fro3 t0e Cat0oli! point ofie, t0at ri0t of t0e "tate i" not forbi##en.

$R. A%&''A.&n fa!t . . . e 0ae to a!!ept t0at t0e "tate 0a" t0e #eleate#aut0ority fro3 t0e Creator to i3po"e t0e #eat0 penalty un#er !ertain!ir!u3"tan!e".

B&- BACAN&.+0e "tate 0a" t0e #eleation fro3 Go# for it to #o 0at i"nee#e# for t0e "aDe of t0e !o33on oo#, but t0e i""ue at "taDe i" 0et0er or notun#er t0e pre"ent !ir!u3"tan!e" t0at ill be for t0e !o33on oo#.

$R. A%&''A.But t0e #eleate# poer of t0e "tate !annot be #enie#.

B&- BACAN&.@e", t0e "tate !an be #eleate# by Go# at a parti!ular "taein 0i"tory, but it i" not !lear 0et0er or not t0at #eleation i" foreer un#er all!ir!u3"tan!e"
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$R. A%&''A.-o t0i" 3atter "0oul# be left to t0e lei"lature to #eter3ine,un#er !ertain "pe!ifie# !on#ition" or !ir!u3"tan!e", 0et0er t0e retention of t0e#eat0 penalty or it" abolition oul# be for t0e !o33on oo#. & #o not belieet0i" Co33i""ion !an a priori, an# a" a" re3arDe# it0in a fe #ay" or een a3ont0, #eter3ine a po"itie proi"ion in t0e Con"titution t0at oul# pro0ibit

een t0e lei"lature to pre"!ribe t0e #eat0 penalty for t0e 3o"t 0einou" !ri3e",t0e 3o"t rieou" offen"e" atten#e# by 3any =ualifyin an# araatin!ir!u3"tan!e".: 19

(0at folloe#, t0u", ere propo"e# a3en#3ent" to t0e beleauere# proi"ion. +0e 3oeto a## t0e p0ra"e, :unle"" for !o3pellin rea"on" inolin 0einou" !ri3e", t0e nationala""e3bly proi#e" for t0e #eat0 penalty,: !a3e fro3 Co33i""ioner" $on"o#, Ko"e E.-uare an# #e lo" Reye". Co33i""ioner Ro#rio, 0oeer, e5pre""e# re"eration" eena" rear#" t0e propo"e# a3en#3ent. e "ai#

:. . . [+]0e i""ue 0ere i" 0et0er or not e "0oul# proi#e t0i" 3atter in t0e

Con"titution or leae it to t0e #i"!retion of our lei"lature. Aru3ent" pro an#!on 0ae been ien. . . . But 3y "tan# i", e "0oul# leae t0i" to t0e #i"!retionof t0e lei"lature.

+0e propo"e# a3en#3ent i" 0alf0earte#. &t i" aDar# be!au"e e ill, ineffe!t, repeal by our Con"titution a pie!e of lei"lation an# after repealin t0i"pie!e of lei"lation, tell t0e lei"lature t0at e 0ae repeale# t0e la an# t0att0e lei"lature !an o a0ea# an# ena!t it aain. & t0inD t0i" i" not ort0y of a!on"titutional bo#y liDe our". &f e ill leae t0e 3atter of t0e #eat0 penalty to

t0e lei"lature, let u" leae it !o3pletely to t0e #i"!retion of t0e lei"lature, butlet u" not 0ae t0i" 0alfbaDe# proi"ion. (e 0ae 3any proi"ion" in t0eRei"e# enal Co#e i3po"in t0e #eat0 penalty. (e ill no reoDe or repealt0e"e pie!e" of lei"lation by 3ean" of t0e Con"titution, but at t0e "a3e ti3e "ayt0at it i" up to t0e lei"lature to i3po"e t0i" aain.

. . . +0e te3per an# !on#ition of t0e ti3e" !0ane . . . an# "o e, & t0inD e"0oul# leae t0i" 3atter to t0e lei"lature to ena!t "tatute" #epen#in on t0e!0anin nee#" of t0e ti3e". 'et u" entru"t t0i" !o3pletely to t0e lei"lature!o3po"e# of repre"entatie" ele!te# by t0e people.

& #o not "ay t0at e are not !o3petent. But e 0ae to a#3it t0e fa!t t0at e arenot ele!te# by t0e people an# if e are oin to entru"t t0i" to t0e lei"lature, letu" not be 0alfbaDe# nor 0alf0earte# about it. 'et u" entru"t it to t0e lei"lature166 per!ent.: 20

Nonet0ele"", t0e propo"e# a3en#3ent a" approe# it0 tentyt0ree ;2!o33i""ioner" otin in faor of t0e a3en#3ent an# tele ;12 otin aain"t it,
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folloe# by 3ore rei"ion", 0en!e t0e pre"ent or#in of Arti!le &&&, -e!tion 19 ;1 oft0e 197 Con"titution in t0e folloin tenor

:E5!e""ie fine" "0all not be i3po"e#, nor !ruel, #era#in or in0u3anpuni"03ent infli!te#. Neit0er "0all #eat0 penalty be i3po"e#, unle"", for

!o3pellin rea"on" inolin 0einou" !ri3e", t0e Conre"" 0ereafter proi#e"for it. Any #eat0 penalty alrea#y i3po"e# "0all be re#u!e# to re!lu"ionperpetua.:

+0e i3pli!ation" of t0e foreoin proi"ion on t0e effe!tiity of t0e #eat0 penaltyproi"ion" in t0e Rei"e# enal Co#e an# !ertain "pe!ial !ri3inal la" an# t0e "tate oft0e "!ale of penaltie" t0ereun#er, ere tre3en#ou".

+0e i33e#iate proble3 pertaine# to t0e appli!able penalty for 0at u"e# to be !apital!ri3e". &nPeople v.Gavarra, 21e "tate# t0at :in ie of t0e abolition of t0e #eat0penalty un#er -e!tion 19, Arti!le &&& of t0e 197 Con"titution, t0e penalty t0at 3ay bei3po"e# for 3ur#er i" re!lu"ion te3poral in it" 3a5i3u3 perio# to re!lu"ion perpetua: 22t0ereby eli3inatin #eat0 a" t0e oriinal 3a5i3u3 perio#. +0e !on"titutional abolition oft0e #eat0 penalty, it "ee3e#, li3ite# t0e penalty for 3ur#er to only t0e re3ainin perio#",to 'it, t0e 3ini3u3 an# t0e 3e#iu3, 0i!0 e t0en, inPeople v.%asangkay,23Peoplev.Atencio24an#People v.(ntino2H#ii#e# into t0ree ne perio#", to 'it, t0e loer 0alfof re!lu"ion te3poral 3a5i3u3 a" t0e 3ini3u3) t0e upper 0alf of re!lu"ion te3poral3a5i3u3 a" t0e 3e#iu3) an# re!lu"ion perpetua a" t0e 3a5i3u3, in Deepin it0 t0et0reera#e "!0e3e un#er t0e Rei"e# enal Co#e. &nPeople v.%uno), 260oeer, ere!on"i#ere# t0e"e afore!ite# !a"e" an# after e5ten#e# #i"!u""ion, e !on!lu#e# t0at t0e#o!trine announ!e# t0erein #i# not refle!t t0e intention of t0e fra3er". +0e !ru5 of t0e

i""ue a" 0et0er or not Arti!le &&&, -e!tion 19 ;1 ab"olutely aboli"0e# t0e #eat0penalty, for if it #i#, t0en, t0e afore3entione# ne t0reera#e penalty "0oul# repla!e t0eol# one 0ere t0e #eat0 penalty !on"titute# t0e 3a5i3u3 perio#. But if no total abolition!an be rea# fro3 "ai# !on"titutional proi"ion an# t0e #eat0 penalty i" only "u"pen#e#, it!annot a" yet be neate# by t0e in"titution of a ne t0reera#e penalty pre3i"e# on t0etotal ine5i"ten!e of t0e #eat0 penalty in our "tatute booD". (e t0u" rule# in%uno)

:+0e a#o!ate" of t0e $a"anDay rulin arue t0at t0e Con"titution aboli"0e#t0e #eat0 penalty an# t0ereby li3ite# t0e penalty for 3ur#er to t0e re3aininperio#", to it, t0e 3ini3u3 an# t0e 3e#iu3. +0e"e "0oul# no be #ii#e#into t0ree ne perio#" in Deepin it0 t0e t0reera#e "!0e3e inten#e# by t0elei"lature. +0o"e 0o #i"aree feel t0at Arti!le &&&, -e!tion 19 ;1 3erelypro0ibit" t0e i3po"ition of t0e #eat0 penalty an# 0a" not, by re#u!in it tore!lu"ion perpetua, al"o !orre"pon#inly re#u!e# t0e re3ainin penaltie". +0e"e"0oul# be 3aintaine# inta!t. !#t

A rea#in of -e!tion 19 ;1 of Arti!le &&& ill rea#ily "0o t0at t0ere i" reallynot0in t0erein 0i!0 e5pre""ly #e!lare" t0e abolition of t0e #eat0 penalty. +0e
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proi"ion 3erely "ay" t0at t0e #eat0 penalty "0all not be i3po"e# unle"" for!o3pellin rea"on" inolin 0einou" !ri3e" t0e Conre"" 0ereafter proi#e"for it an#, if alrea#y i3po"e#, "0all be re#u!e# to re!lu"ion perpetua. +0elanuae, 0ile rat0er aDar#, i" "till plain enou0:. 27

Not0in i" 3ore #efinin of t0e true !ontent of Arti!le &&&, -e!tion 19 ;1 of t0e 197Con"titution t0an t0e for3 in 0i!0 t0e lei"lature tooD t0e initiatie in rei3po"in t0e#eat0 penalty.

+0e -enate neer #oubte# it" poer a" e"te# in it by t0e !on"titution, to ena!t lei"lationrei3po"in t0e #eat0 penalty for !o3pellin rea"on" inolin 0einou" !ri3e". ur"uantto t0i" !on"titutional 3an#ate, t0e -enate pro!ee#e# to a to"tep pro!e"" !on"i"tin offir"t, t0e #e!i"ion, a" a 3atter of poli!y, to rei3po"e t0e #eat0 penalty or not) an#"e!on#, t0e ote to pa"" on t0e t0ir# rea#in t0e bill rei3po"in t0e #eat0 penalty for!o3pellin rea"on" inolin 0einou" !ri3e".

n February 1H, 199, after a fier!e an# fiery e5!0ane of aru3ent" for an# aain"t!apital puni"03ent, t0e $e3ber" of t0e -enate ote# on t0e poli!y i""ue of #eat0 penalty.+0e ote a" e5plaine#, t0u"

:-?-EN-&N F +E R?'E-

?pon 3otion of -enator Ro3ulo, t0ere bein no ob>e!tion, t0e Bo#y "u"pen#e#t0e Rule" of t0e -enate.

+0ereafter, upon 3otion of -enator Ro3ulo, t0ere bein no ob>e!tion, t0e C0air

#ire!te# t0at a no3inal otin be !on#u!te# on t0e poli!y i""ue of #eat0 penalty.

&NI?&R@ F -ENA+R +'EN+&N

A"De# by -enator +olentino on 0o t0e $e3ber" of t0e -enate oul# ote ont0i" poli!y =ue"tion, -enator Ro3ulo "tate# t0at a ote of @e" oul# 3ean aote in faor of #eat0 a" a penalty to be rein!orporate# in t0e "!ale of penaltie"a" proi#e# in t0e Rei"e# enal Co#e, an# a ote of No oul# be a oteaain"t t0e rein!orporation of #eat0 penalty in t0e "!ale of penaltie" in t0eRei"e# enal Co#e.

&NI?&R@ F -ENA+R A'*AREM555 555 555

+0e C0air e5plaine# t0at it a" aree# upon t0at t0e Bo#y oul# fir"t #e!i#et0e =ue"tion 0et0er or not #eat0 penalty "0oul# be rei3po"e#, an# t0ereafter, a"een3an !o33ittee oul# be for3e# to #raft t0e !o3pro3i"e bill ina!!or#an!e it0 t0e re"ult of t0e otin. &f t0e Bo#y #e!i#e" in faor of t0e
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#eat0 penalty, t0e C0air "ai# t0at t0e !o33ittee oul# "pe!ify t0e !ri3e" on0i!0 #eat0 penalty oul# be i3po"e#. &t affir3e# t0at a ote of @e" in t0eno3inal otin oul# 3ean a ote in faor of #eat0 penalty on at lea"t one!ri3e, an# t0at !ertain refine3ent" on 0o t0e penalty oul# be i3po"e# oul#be left to t0e #i"!retion of t0e "een3an !o33ittee.

555 555 555

&NI?&R@ F -ENA+R +AA%A

&n reply to -enator +aLa#a


16/67

0y t0e -enate Bill No. 91 rei3po"e" t0e #eat0 penalty by a3en#in t0e Rei"e# enalCo#e an# ot0er "pe!ial penal la" an# in!lu#e" proi"ion" t0at #o not #efine or puni"0!ri3e" but "ere purpo"e" allie# to t0e rei3po"ition of t0e #eat0 penalty. -enator+olentino "tate#

:. . . [(]0en t0e -enate approe# t0e poli!y of rei3po"in t0e #eat0 penalty on0einou" !ri3e" an# #eleate# to t0e -pe!ial Co33ittee t0e orD of #raftin abill, a !o3pro3i"e bill t0at oul# be t0e "ub>e!t for future #eliberation" of t0i"Bo#y, t0e Co33ittee 0a# to !on"i#er t0at t0e #eat0 penalty a" i3po"e#oriinally in t0e Rei"e# enal Co#e.

-o, 0en t0e Con"titution a" approe# in or#er to #o aay it0 t0e #eat0penalty, unle"" Conre"" "0oul#, for !o3pellin rea"on" rei3po"e t0at penaltyon 0einou" !ri3e", it a" obiou" t0at it a" t0e Rei"e# enal Co#e t0at a"

affe!te# by t0at proi"ion of t0e Con"titution. +0e #eat0 penalty, a" proi#e# int0e Rei"e# enal Co#e, oul# be !on"i#ere# a" 0ain been repeale# / allproi"ion" on t0e #eat0 penalty oul# be !on"i#ere# a" 0ain been repeale# byt0e Con"titution, until Conre"" "0oul#, for !o3pellin rea"on", rei3po"e "u!0penalty on 0einou" !ri3e". +0erefore, it a" not only one arti!le but 3anyarti!le" of t0e Rei"e# enal Co#e t0at ere a!tually affe!te# by t0eCon"titution.

An# it i" in !on"i#eration of t0i" !on"e=uen!e of t0e !on"titutional proi"iont0at our -pe!ial Co33ittee 0a# to !on"i#er t0e Rei"e# enal Co#e it"elf in3aDin t0i" !o3pro3i"e bill or te5t of t0e bill. +0at i" 0y, in t0e propo"e#

#raft no un#er !on"i#eration 0i!0 e are "pon"orin, t0e "pe!ifi! proi"ion"of t0e Rei"e# enal Co#e are a!tually eit0er reena!te# or a3en#e# or bot0.Be!au"e by t0e effe!t of t0e Con"titution, "o3e proi"ion" ere totally repeale#,an# t0ey 0a# to be reena!te# "o t0at t0e proi"ion" !oul# be retaine#. An# "o3eof t0e3 0a# to be a3en#e# be!au"e t0e Co33ittee t0ou0t t0at a3en#3ent"ere proper.:29

&n re"pon"e to a =uery by -enator Gloria $a!apaalArroyo a" to 0et0er or not itoul# 0ae been better if t0e -enate ere to ena!t a "pe!ial la 0i!0 3erely #efine#an# i3po"e# t0e #eat0 penalty for 0einou" !ri3e", -enator +olentino e5pli!ate#, t0u"

:. . . [+]0at 3ay be a ay pre"entin t0e bill. But e 3u"t bear in 3in# t0at t0e#eat0 penalty i" i3po"e# in t0e Rei"e# enal Co#e. +0erefore, 0en t0eCon"titution aboli"0e# t0e #eat0 penalty, it a!tually a" a3en#in t0e Rei"e#enal Co#e to "u!0 an e5tent t0at t0e Con"titution proi#e" t0at 0ere t0e #eat0penalty 0a" alrea#y been i3po"e# but not yet !arrie# out, t0en t0e penalty "0allbe re!lu"ion perpetua, t0at i" t0e penalty in t0e Rei"e# enal Co#e. -o et0ou0t t0at it oul# be be"t to >u"t a3en# t0e proi"ion" of t0e Rei"e# enalCo#e, re"torin t0e #eat0 penalty for "o3e !ri3e" t0at 3ay be !on"i#ere# a"
http://www.cdasiaonline.com/search/show_article/13488?search=title%3A+(echegaray)#footnoteshttp://www.cdasiaonline.com/search/show_article/13488?search=title%3A+(echegaray)#footnoteshttp://www.cdasiaonline.com/search/show_article/13488?search=title%3A+(echegaray)#footnotes


17/67

0einou". +0at i" 0y t0e bill i" in t0i" for3 a3en#in t0e proi"ion" of t0eRei"e# enal Co#e.

f !our"e, if "o3e people ant to pre"ent a "pe!ial bill . . . t0e 0ole trouble i",0en a "pe!ial bill i" pre"ente# an# e ant to puni"0 in t0e "pe!ial bill t0e

!a"e of 3ur#er, for in"tan!e, e ill 0ae to repro#u!e t0e proi"ion" of t0eRei"e# enal Co#e on 3ur#er in or#er to #efine t0e !ri3e for 0i!0 t0e #eat0penalty "0all be i3po"e#. r if e ant to i3po"e t0e #eat0 penalty in t0e !a"eof Di#nappin 0i!0 i" puni"0e# in t0e Rei"e# enal Co#e, e ill #o t0e"a3e /3erely repro#u!e. (0y ill e #o t0atO -o e >u"t folloe# t0e"i3pler 3et0o# of Deepin t0e #efinition of t0e !ri3e a" t0e "a3e an# 3erelya##in "o3e araatin !ir!u3"tan!e" an# rei3po"in t0e #eat0 penalty int0e"e offen"e" oriinally puni"0e# in t0e Rei"e# enal Co#e.: 6

Fro3 $ar!0 17, 199, 0en t0e #eat0 penalty bill a" pre"ente# for #i"!u""ion untilAuu"t 18, 199, t0e $e3ber" of t0e -enate #ebate# on it" proi"ion".

+0e "tiffe"t oppo"ition t0ereto a" bannere# by -enator 'ina 0o Dept pro##in t0e"pon"or" of t0e bill to "tate t0e !o3pellin rea"on for ea!0 an# eery !ri3e for 0i!0 t0e"upre3e penalty of #eat0 a" "ou0t. Meroin in on t0e "tate3ent in t0e prea3ble of t0e#eat0 penalty bill t0at t0e "a3e i" arrante# in t0e fa!e of :t0e alar3in up"ure of[0einou"] !ri3e":, -enator 'ina #e3an#e# for "oli# "tati"ti!" "0oin t0at in t0e !a"e ofea!0 an# eery !ri3e in t0e #eat0 penalty bill, t0ere a" a "inifi!antly 0i0er in!i#en!eof ea!0 !ri3e after t0e "u"pen"ion of t0e #eat0 penalty on February 2, 197 0en t0e197 Con"titution a" ratifie# by t0e 3a>ority of t0e Filipino people, t0an before "u!0ratifi!ation. 1&na"3u!0 a" t0e rei3po"itioni"t" !oul# not "ati"fy t0e abolitioni"t" it0

"uffi!ient "tati"ti!al #ata for t0e latter to a!!ept t0e alar3in up"ure of 0einou" !ri3e" a"a !o3pellin rea"on >u"tifyin t0e rei3po"ition of t0e #eat0 penalty, -enator 'ina!on!lu#e# t0at t0ere ere, in fa!t, no !o3pellin rea"on" t0erefor. &n t0e alternatie,-enator 'ina arue# t0at t0e !o3pellin rea"on re=uire# by t0e !on"titution a" t0at :t0e-tate 0a" #one eeryt0in in it" !o33an# "o t0at it !an be >u"tifie# to u"e an in0u3anpuni"03ent !alle# #eat0 penalty:. 2+0e proble3, -enator 'ina e3p0a"ie#, a" t0ateen t0e rei3po"itioni"t" a#3it t0at t0ere ere "till nu3erou" refor3" in t0e !ri3inal>u"ti!e "y"te3 t0at 3ay an# 3u"t be put in pla!e, an# "o !learly, t0e re!our"e to t0eena!t3ent of a #eat0 penalty bill a" not in t0e nature of a la"t re"ort, 0en!e,un!on"titutional in t0e ab"en!e of !o3pellin rea"on". A" an initial rea!tion to -enator'ina


18/67

in t0e #eat0 penalty bill) an# "e!on#, t0e "tate3ent of !o3pellin rea"on" for ea!0 an#eery !apital !ri3e. i" interpellation of -enator +olentino !learly "0oe# 0i" ob>e!tion"to t0e bill

:Senator Ta*ada.. . . But 0at oul# 3aDe !ri3e" 0einou", $r. re"i#entO Are

!ri3e" 0einou" by t0eir nature or ele3ent" a" t0ey are #e"!ribe# in t0e bill or are!ri3e" 0einou" be!au"e t0ey are puni"0e# by #eat0, a" bribery an# 3aler"ationare propo"e# to be puni"0e# in t0e billO

Senator Tolentino.+0ey are 0einou" by t0eir nature, $r. re"i#ent, but t0at i"not "uppo"e# to be t0e e5!lu"ie !riterion. +0e nature of t0e offen"e i" t0e 3o"ti3portant ele3ent in !on"i#erin it 0einou" but, at t0e "a3e ti3e, e "0oul#!on"i#er t0e relation of t0e offen"e to "o!iety in or#er to 0ae a !o3plete i#ea oft0e 0einou" nature of t0e"e offen"e".

&n t0e !a"e of 3aler"ation or bribery, for in"tan!e, t0e"e offen"e" by

t0e3"ele" !onne!te# it0 t0e effe!t upon "o!iety an# t0e oern3ent 0ae3a#e t0e3 fall un#er t0e !la""ifi!ation of 0einou" !ri3e". +0e !o3pellinrea"on for i3po"in t0e #eat0 penalty i" 0en t0e offen"e" of 3aler"ation an#bribery be!o3e" "o rae an# "o "eriou" a" in#i!ate# in t0e "ub"titute bill it"elf,t0en t0ere i" a !o3pellin rea"on for t0e #eat0 penalty.

Senator Ta*ada.(it0 re"pe!t to t0e !o3pellin rea"on", $r. re"i#ent, #oe" t0eGentle3an beliee t0at t0e"e !o3pellin rea"on", 0i!0 oul# !all for t0erei3po"ition of t0e #eat0 penalty, "0oul# be "eparately, #i"tin!tly an# !learly"tate# for ea!0 !ri3e "o t0at it ill be ery !lear to one an# all t0at not only aret0e"e !ri3e" 0einou" but al"o one !an "ee t0e !o3pellin rea"on" for t0e

rei3po"ition of t0e #eat0 penalty t0ereforO

Senator Tolentino.$r. re"i#ent, t0at 3atter a" a!tually !on"i#ere# by t0eCo33ittee. But t0e #e!i"ion of t0e Co33ittee a" to aoi# "tatin t0e!o3pellin rea"on for ea!0 an# eery offen"e t0at i" in!lu#e# in t0e "ub"titute3ea"ure. +0at i" 0y in t0e prea3ble, eneral "tate3ent" ere 3a#e to "0ot0e"e !o3pellin rea"on". An# t0at, e beliee, in!lu#e# in t0e bill, 0en!onerte# into la, oul# be "uffi!ient noti!e a" to 0at ere !on"i#ere#!o3pellin rea"on" by t0e Conre"", in proi#in t0e #eat0 penalty for t0e"e#ifferent offen"e".

&f a 3atter liDe t0i" i" =ue"tione# before t0e -upre3e Court, & oul# "uppo"et0at it0 t0e prea3ble alrea#y in eneral ter3", t0e -upre3e Court oul# feelt0at it a" t0e "en"e of Conre"" t0at t0i" prea3ble oul# be appli!able to ea!0an# eery offen"e #e"!ribe# or puni"0able in t0e 3ea"ure.

-o e felt t0at it a" not ne!e""ary to repeat t0e"e !o3pellin rea"on" for ea!0an# eery offen"e.


19/67

Senator Ta*ada.$r. re"i#ent, & a3 t0inDin about t0e !on"titutional li3itation"upon t0e poer of Conre"" to ena!t !ri3inal lei"lation, e"pe!ially t0eproi"ion" on t0e Bill of Ri0t", parti!ularly t0e one 0i!0 "ay" t0at no per"on"0all be 0el# to an"er for a !ri3inal offen"e it0out #ue pro!e"" of la.

Can e not "ay t0at un#er t0i" proi"ion, it i" re=uire# t0at t0e !o3pellinrea"on" be "o "tate# in t0e bill "o t0at t0e bill, 0en it be!o3e" a la, ill!learly #efine t0e a!t" an# t0e o3i""ion" puni"0e# a" !ri3e"O

Senator Tolentino.$r. re"i#ent, & beliee t0at in it"elf, a" "ub"tantie la, t0i"i" "uffi!ient. +0e =ue"tion of 0et0er t0ere i" #ue pro!e"" ill 3ore or le"" be a3atter of pro!e#ure in t0e !o3plian!e it0 t0e re=uire3ent" of t0e Con"titutionit0 re"pe!t to #ue pro!e"" it"elf 0i!0 i" a "eparate 3atter fro3 t0e "ub"tantiela a" to t0e #efinition an# penalty for !ri3e".

Senator Ta*ada.?n#er t0e Con"titution, $r. re"i#ent, it appear" t0at t0e

rei3po"ition of t0e #eat0 penalty i" "ub>e!t to t0ree !on#ition" an# t0e"e are

1.Conre"" "0oul# "o proi#e "u!0 rei3po"ition of t0e #eat0 penalty)

2.+0ere are !o3pellin rea"on") an#

.+0e"e inole 0einou" !ri3e".

?n#er t0e"e proi"ion of t0e Con"titution, pararap0 1, -e!tion 1, #oe" t0e#i"tinui"0e# Gentle3an not feel t0at Conre"" i" boun# to "tate !learly t0e!o3pellin rea"on" for t0e rei3po"ition of t0e #eat0 penalty for ea!0 !ri3e, a"

ell a" t0e ele3ent" t0at 3aDe ea!0 of t0e !ri3e" 0einou" in!lu#e# in t0e billO

Senator Tolentino.$r. re"i#ent, t0at i" a 3atter of opinion alrea#y. & belieet0at 0et0er e "tate t0e !o3pellin rea"on" or not, 0et0er e "tate 0y a!ertain offen"e i" 0einou", i" not ery i3portant. &f t0e =ue"tion i" rai"e# in t0e-upre3e Court, it i" not 0at e "ay in t0e bill t0at ill be !ontrollin but 0att0e -upre3e Court ill fell a" a "uffi!ient !o3pellin rea"on or a" to t0e0einou" nature 0et0er t0e !ri3e i" 0einou" or not. +0e a!!u"e# !an !ertainlyrai"e t0e 3atter of !on"titutionality but it ill not o into t0e 3atter of #uepro!e"". &t ill o into t0e ery poer of Conre"" to ena!t a bill i3po"in t0e#eat0 penalty. -o t0at oul# be entirely "eparate fro3 t0e 3atter of #ue

pro!e"".: 4

-enator Fran!i"!o +ata#, on 0i" part, pointe# out t0at t0e #eat0 penalty bill iolate# ourinternational !o33it3ent in "upport of t0e orl#i#e abolition of !apital puni"03ent,t0e 0ilippine" bein a "inatory to t0e &nternational Coenant on Ciil an# oliti!alRi0t" an# it" -e!on# ptional roto!ol. -enator Erne"to errera !larifie#, 0oeer, t0at


20/67

in t0e ?nite# Nation", "ub>e!t 3atter" are "ub3itte# to t0e #ifferent !o33ittee" 0i!0ote on t0e3 for !on"i#eration in t0e plenary "e""ion. e "tre""e# t0at unle"" approe# int0e plenary "e""ion, a #e!laration oul# 0ae no bin#in effe!t on "inatory !ountrie". &nt0i" re"pe!t, t0e 0ilippine" !annot be #ee3e# irreo!ably boun# by "ai# !oenant an#proto!ol !on"i#erin t0at t0e"e aree3ent" 0ae rea!0e# only t0e !o33ittee leel. H

After t0e protra!te# #ebate, t0e $e3ber" of t0e -enate ote# on -enate Bill No. 91 ont0ir# rea#in. (it0 "eenteen ;17 affir3atie ote", four ;4 neatie ote", an# oneab"tention, t0e #eat0 penalty bill a" approe# on t0ir# rea#in on Auu"t 18, 199.

+0e -enate


21/67

:u"ti!e. (e ou0t to li"ten to t0e3 be!au"et0eir lie", t0eir 0ope", t0eir #rea3", t0eir future 0ae fallen a"un#er by t0e!ruel an# i!iou" !ri3inality of a fe 0o put t0eir "elfi"0 intere"t aboe t0at of"o!iety.

einou" !ri3e i" an a!t or "erie" of a!t" 0i!0, by t0e flarantly iolent 3annerin 0i!0 t0e "a3e a" !o33itte# or by t0e rea"on of it" in0erent i!iou"ne"","0o" a patent #i"rear# an# 3o!Dery of t0e la, publi! pea!e an# or#er, or

publi! 3oral". &t i" an offen"e 0o"e e""ential an# in0erent i!iou"ne"" an#atro!ity are repunant an# outraeou" to a !iilie# "o!iety an# 0en!e, "0o!D t0e3oral "elf of a people.

f late, e are itne"" to "u!0 Din# of barbari! !ri3e".

+0e *i!on#e 3a""a!re t0at tooD t0e lie" of a 3ot0er an# 0er to loely#au0ter", ill "tan# in t0e people


22/67

+0e !ol#bloo#e# #ouble 3ur#er of Co!0i"e Bernabe an# Beebo3 Ca"tano", t0eloely an# pro3i"in !ouple fro3 t0e ?nier"ity of t0e 0ilippine", i" eternallylo#e# in t0e re!e""e" of our 3in#" an# "till 3aDe" our "to3a!0 turn in utter#i"u"t.

555 555 555

+0e "eriou"ne"" of t0e "ituation i" "u!0 t0at if no ra#i!al a!tion i" taDen by t0i"bo#y in re"torin #eat0 penalty a" a po"itie re"pon"e to t0e oer0el3in!la3or of t0e people, t0en, a" rofe""or E"teban Bauti"ta of t0e 0ilippine 'aCenter "ai#, an# & =uote

u"ti!ean# lyn!0 la. +0e people ill taDe t0e la upon t0eir 0an#" an# e5a!t

enean!e in t0e nature of per"onal en#etta.u"ti!e. A la t0at ill e5a!t retribution for t0e i!ti3". A la t0at ill #eterfuture ani3ali"ti! be0aior of t0e !ri3inal 0o taDe t0eir "elfi"0 intere"t oeran# aboe t0at of "o!iety. A la t0at ill #eal a #eat0blo upon all 0einou"!ri3e".

$r. -peaDer, 3y #i"tinui"0e# !olleaue", for t0e pre"eration of all t0at e0ol# #ear an# "a!re#, let u" re"tore t0e #eat0 penalty.: 8

A "tu#iou" !o3pari"on of t0e lei"latie pro!ee#in" in t0e -enate an# in t0e ou"e ofRepre"entatie" reeal" t0at, 0ile bot0 C0a3ber" ere not antin of oppo"itor" to t0e#eat0 penalty, t0e 'oer ou"e "ee3e# le"" =uarrel"o3e about t0e for3 of t0e #eat0

penalty bill a" a "pe!ial la "pe!ifyin !ertain 0einou" !ri3e" it0out rear# to t0eproi"ion" of t0e Rei"e# enal Co#e an# 3ore unifie# in t0e per!eption of 0at !ri3e"are 0einou" an# t0at t0e fa!t of t0eir ery 0einou"ne"" inole" t0e !o3pul"ion an# t0ei3peratie to "uppre"", if not !o3pletely era#i!ate, t0eir o!!urren!e. Be it t0e foreoineneral "tate3ent of Repre"entatie -an!0e or t0e folloin #etail" of t0e nature of t0e0einou" !ri3e" enu3erate# in ou"e Bill No. 82 by Repre"entatie $iuel '. Ro3ero of


23/67

Nero" riental, t0ere a" !learly, a3on t0e 0un#re# or "o rei3po"itioni"t" in t0e'oer ou"e, no #oubt a" to t0eir !au"e

:$y frien#", t0i" bill proi#e" for t0e i3po"ition of t0e #eat0 penalty not onlyfor t0e i3portation, 3anufa!ture an# "ale of #anerou" #ru", but al"o for ot0er

0einou" !ri3e" "u!0 a" trea"on) parri!i#e) 3ur#er) Di#nappin) robbery) rape a"#efine# by t0e Rei"e# enal Co#e it0 or it0out a##itionally #efine#!ir!u3"tan!e") plun#er, a" #efine# in R.A. 766) pira!y, a" #efine# un#er-e!tion 2 of % H2) !arnappin, a" #efine# in -e!tion 2 of RA 8H9, 0en t0eoner, #rier or o!!upant i" Dille#) 0i>a!Din, a" #efine# in . . . RA 82H) an#ar"on re"ultin in t0e #eat0 of any o!!upant".

All t0e"e !ri3e" 0ae a !o33on #eno3inator 0i!0 =ualifie" t0e3 to t0e leelof 0einou" !ri3e". A 0einou" !ri3e i" one 0i!0, by rea"on of it" in0erent or3anife"t i!De#ne"", i!iou"ne"", atro!ity or perer"ity, i" repunant an#outraeou" to t0e !o33on "tan#ar#" of #e!en!y an# 3orality in a >u"t an#

!iilie# "o!iety.

For in"tan!e, t0e !ri3e of trea"on i" #efine# a" a brea!0 of alleian!e to aoern3ent, !o33itte# by a per"on 0o oe" alleian!e to it ;?.-. . Aba# 10il. 47. By t0e


24/67

!o3ple3ent of t0e e""el, an# be!au"e of t0e fa!t t0at, in t0e 0i0 "ea", no one3ay be e5pe!te# to be able to !o3e to t0e re"!ue of t0e 0elple"" i!ti3". For t0e"a3e rea"on, $r. -peaDer, t0e !ri3e of air pira!y i" puni"0e# #ue to t0e eil3otie of t0e 0i>a!Der" in 3aDin unrea"onable #e3an#" upon t0e "oereintyof an entire nation or nation", !ouple# it0 t0e atten#ant !ir!u3"tan!e of

"ub>e!tin t0e pa""ener" to terrori"3.: 7

+0e #ebate on ou"e Bill No. 82 la"te# fro3 !tober 27, 1992 to February 11, 199. nFebruary 11, 199, t0e $e3ber" of t0e ou"e of Repre"entatie" oer0el3inlyapproe# t0e #eat0 penalty bill on "e!on# rea#in.

n February 2, 199, after e5plainin t0eir ote", t0e $e3ber" of t0e ou"e ofRepre"entatie" !a"t t0eir ote on ou"e Bill No. 82 0en it a" up for !on"i#eration ont0ir# rea#in. +0e re"ult" ere 12 ote" in faor, 28 ote" aain"t, an# 2 ab"tention"

After t0e approal on t0ir# rea#in of ou"e Bill No. 82 on February 2, 199 an# of-enate Bill No. 91 on Auu"t 18, 199, t0e Bi!a3eral Conferen!e Co33ittee !onene#to in!orporate an# !on"oli#ate t0e3.

n %e!e3ber 1, 199, Republi! A!t ;R.A. No. 78H9, entitle#, :An A!t to &3po"e t0e%eat0 enalty on Certain einou" Cri3e", A3en#in for t0at urpo"e t0e Rei"e# enalCo#e, a" A3en#e#, t0er -pe!ial enal 'a", an# for t0er urpo"e",: tooD effe!t. 9

Beteen %e!e3ber 1, 199, 0en R.A. No. 78H9 tooD effe!t, an# t0e pre"ent ti3e,!ri3inal offen#er" 0ae been pro"e!ute# un#er "ai# la, an# one of t0e3, 0ereina!!u"e#appellant, 0a" been, pur"uant to "ai# la, 3ete# out t0e "upre3e penalty of #eat0

for rapin 0i" tenyear ol# #au0ter. ?pon 0i" !oni!tion, 0i" !a"e a" eleate# to u" onauto3ati! reie. n Kune 2H, 1998, e affir3e# 0i" !oni!tion an# t0e #eat0 "enten!e.

No, a!!u"e#appellant !o3e" to u" in t0e 0eel" of t0i" !ourte!t a!!u"e#appellantu"ti!e" interpo"e# t0eir #i""ent 0ereto, areein it0 a!!u"e#appellant


25/67

At t0i" >un!ture, t0e #etaile# eent" lea#in to t0e ena!t3ent of R.A. No. 78H9 a"unfurle# in t0e beinnin of t0i" #i"=ui"ition, ne!e""arily proi#e t0e !onte5t for t0efolloin analy"i".

Arti!le &&&, -e!tion 19 ;1 of t0e 197 Con"titution plainly e"t" in Conre"" t0e poer to

rei3po"e t0e #eat0 penalty :for !o3pellin rea"on" inolin 0einou" !ri3e":. +0i"poer i" not "ub"u3e# in t0e plenary lei"latie poer of Conre"", for it i" "ub>e!t to a!lear "0oin of :!o3pellin rea"on" inolin 0einou" !ri3e".:

+0e !on"titutional e5er!i"e of t0i" li3ite# poer to rei3po"e t0e #eat0 penalty entail";1 t0at Conre"" #efine or #e"!ribe 0at i" 3eant by 0einou" !ri3e") ;2 t0at Conre"""pe!ify an# penalie by #eat0, only !ri3e" t0at =ualify a" 0einou" in a!!or#an!e it0 t0e#efinition or #e"!ription "et in t0e #eat0 penalty bill an#Jor #e"inate !ri3e" puni"0ableby re!lu"ion perpetua to #eat0 in 0i!0 latter !a"e, #eat0 !an only be i3po"e# upon t0eatten#an!e of !ir!u3"tan!e" #uly proen in !ourt t0at !0ara!terie t0e !ri3e to be

0einou" in a!!or#an!e it0 t0e #efinition or #e"!ription "et in t0e #eat0 penalty bill) an#; t0at Conre"", in ena!tin t0i" #eat0 penalty bill be "inularly 3otiate# by:!o3pellin rea"on" inolin 0einou" !ri3e".:

&n t0e "e!on# 0erea" !lau"e of t0e prea3ble of R.A. No. 78H9, e fin# t0e #efinition or#e"!ription of 0einou" !ri3e". -ai# !lau"e proi#e" t0at

:. . . t0e !ri3e" puni"0able by #eat0 un#er t0i" A!t are 0einou" for beinrieou", o#iou" an# 0ateful offen"e" an# 0i!0, by rea"on of t0eir in0erent or3anife"t i!De#ne"", i!iou"ne"", atro!ity an# perer"ity are repunant an#outraeou" to t0e !o33on "tan#ar#" an# nor3" of #e!en!y an# 3orality in a

>u"t, !iilie# an# or#ere# "o!iety.:

Ku"ti!e -antiao apunan, in 0i" #i""entin opinion inPeople v.Alicando, 40tra!e#t0e ety3oloi!al root of t0e or# :0einou": to t0e Early -partan"< or#, :0aineu":,3eanin, 0ateful an# abo3inable, 0i!0, in turn, a" fro3 t0e GreeD prefi5 :0aton:,#enotin a!t" "o 0atefully or "0o!Dinly eil.

(e fin# t0e foreoin #efinition or #e"!ription to be a "uffi!ient !riterion of 0at i" to be!on"i#ere# a 0einou" !ri3e. +0i" !riterion i" #eliberately un#etaile# a" to t0e!ir!u3"tan!e" of t0e i!ti3, t0e a!!u"e#, pla!e, ti3e, t0e 3anner of !o33i""ion of

!ri3e, it" pro5i3ate !on"e=uen!e" an# effe!t" on t0e i!ti3 a" ell a" on "o!iety, toaffor# t0e "enten!in aut0ority "uffi!ient leeay to e5er!i"e 0i" #i"!retion in i3po"int0e appropriate penalty in !a"e" 0ere R.A. No. 78H9 i3po"e" not a 3an#atory penalty of#eat0 but t0e 3ore fle5ible penalty of re!lu"ion perpetua to #eat0.

%urin t0e #ebate" on t0e propo"e# #eat0 penalty bill, -enator" 'ina an# +aLa#a rille#t0e "pon"or" of t0e bill a" rear#" 0at t0ey per!eie# a" a 3ere enu3eration of !apital!ri3e" it0out a "pe!ifi!ation of t0e ele3ent" t0at 3aDe t0e3 0einou". +0ey ere


26/67

obliiou" to t0e fa!t t0at t0ere ere to type" of !ri3e" in t0e #eat0 penalty bill fir"t,t0ere ere !ri3e" penalie# by re!lu"ion perpetua to #eat0) an# "e!on#, t0ere ere!ri3e" penalie# by 3an#atory !apital puni"03ent upon t0e atten#an!e of !ertain"pe!ifie# =ualifyin !ir!u3"tan!e".

?n#er R.A. No. 78H9, t0e folloin !ri3e" are penalie# by re!lu"ion perpetua to #eat0

;1+rea"on ;-e!. 2)

;2Iualifie# pira!y ;-e!. )

;arri!i#e ;-e!. H)

;4$ur#er ;-e!. 8)

;H&nfanti!i#e ;-e!. 7)

;8i#nappin an# "eriou" illeal #etention if atten#e# by any of t0efolloin four !ir!u3"tan!e" ;a t0e i!ti3 a" #etaine# for 3oret0an t0ree #ay") ;b it a" !o33itte# "i3ulatin publi! aut0ority);! "eriou" p0y"i!al in>urie" ere infli!te# on t0e i!ti3 or t0reat"to Dill 0i3 ere 3a#e) an# ;# if t0e i!ti3 i" a 3inor, e5!ept 0ent0e a!!u"e# i" any of t0e parent", fe3ale or a publi! offi!er ;-e!.)

;7Robbery it0 0o3i!i#e, rape or intentional 3utilation ;-e!. 9)

;%e"tru!tie ar"on if 0at i" burne# i" ;a one or 3ore buil#in" ore#ifi!e) ;b a buil#in 0ere people u"ually at0er) ;! a train, "0ipor airplane for publi! u"e) ;# a buil#in or fa!tory in t0e "eri!e ofpubli! utilitie") ;e a buil#in for t0e purpo"e of !on!ealin or#e"troyin ei#en!e of a !ri3e) ;f an ar"enal, fireorD" fa!tory, oroern3ent 3u"eu3) an# ; a "tore0ou"e or fa!tory of e5plo"ie3aterial" lo!ate# in an in0abite# pla!e) or rear#le"" of 0at i"burne#, if t0e ar"on i" perpetrate# by to or 3ore per"on" ;-e!.16)

;9Rape atten#e# by any of t0e folloin !ir!u3"tan!e" ;a t0e rape i"!o33itte# it0 a #ea#ly eapon) ;b t0e rape i" !o33itte# by toor 3ore per"on") an# ;! t0e rape i" atte3pte# or fru"trate# an#!o33itte# it0 0o3i!i#e ;-e!. 11)

;16lun#er inolin at lea"t H6 3illion ;-e!. 12)


27/67

;11&3portation of pro0ibite# #ru" ;-e!. 1)

;12-ale, a#3ini"tration, #eliery, #i"tribution, an# tran"portation ofpro0ibite# #ru" ;(d+)

;1$aintenan!e of #en, #ie or re"ort for u"er" of pro0ibite# #ru" ;(d+)

;14$anufa!ture of pro0ibite# #ru" ;(d+)

;1Ho""e""ion or u"e of pro0ibite# #ru" in !ertain "pe!ifie# a3ount";(d+)

;18Cultiation of plant" 0i!0 are "our!e" of pro0ibite# #ru" ;(d+

;17&3portation of reulate# #ru" ;-e!. 14)

;1$anufa!ture of reulate# #ru" ;(d+)

;19-ale, a#3ini"tration, #i"pen"ation, #eliery, tran"portation, an##i"tribution of reulate# #ru" ;(d+)

;26$aintenan!e of #en, #ie, or re"ort for u"er" of reulate# #ru" ;-e!.1H)

;21o""e""ion or u"e of reulate# #ru" in "pe!ifie# a3ount" ;-e!. 18)

;22$i"appropriation, 3i"appli!ation or failure to a!!ount #anerou"#ru" !onfi"!ate# by t0e arre"tin offi!er ;-e!. 17)

;2lantin ei#en!e of #anerou" #ru" in per"on or i33e#iate i!inityof anot0er to i3pli!ate t0e latter ;-e!. 19) an#

;24Carnappin 0ere t0e oner, #rier or o!!upant of t0e !arnappe#3otor e0i!le i" Dille# or rape# ;-e!. 26.

All t0e foreoin !ri3e" are not !apital !ri3e" per "e, t0e unifor3 penalty for all of

t0e3 bein not 3an#atory #eat0 but t0e fle5ible penalty of re!lu"ion perpetua to#eat0. &n ot0er or#", it i" pre3ature to #e3an# for a "pe!ifi!ation of t0e 0einou"ele3ent" in ea!0 of foreoin !ri3e" be!au"e t0ey are not anyay 3an#atorilypenalie# it0 #eat0. +0e ele3ent" t0at !all for t0e i3po"ition of t0e "upre3e penaltyof #eat0 in t0e"e !ri3e", oul# only be releant 0en t0e trial !ourt, ien t0epreroatie to i3po"e re!lu"ion perpetua, in"tea# a!tually i3po"e" t0e #eat0 penaltybe!au"e it 0a", in appre!iatin t0e ei#en!e proffere# before it, foun# t0e atten#an!eof !ertain !ir!u3"tan!e" in t0e 3anner by 0i!0 t0e !ri3e a" !o33itte#, or in t0e


28/67

per"on of t0e a!!u"e# on 0i" on or in relation to t0e i!ti3, or in any ot0er 3atter of"inifi!an!e to t0e !o33i""ion of t0e !ri3e or it" effe!t" on t0e i!ti3 or on "o!iety,0i!0 !ir!u3"tan!e" !0ara!terie t0e !ri3inal a!t" a" rieou", o#iou", or 0ateful, orin0erently or 3anife"tly i!De#, i!iou", atro!iou" or perer"e a" to be repunant an#outraeou" to t0e !o33on "tan#ar#" an# nor3" of #e!en!y an# 3orality in a >u"t,

!iilie# an# or#ere# "o!iety. !#a

n t0e ot0er 0an#, un#er R.A. No. 78H9, t0e 3an#atory penalty of #eat0 i" i3po"e# int0e folloin !ri3e"

;1,ualified bribery

:&f any publi! offi!er i" entru"te# it0 la enfor!e3ent an# 0e refrain" fro3arre"tin or pro"e!utin an offen#er 0o 0a" !o33itte# a !ri3e puni"0able byre!lu"ion perpetua an#Jor #eat0 in !on"i#eration of any offer, pro3i"e, ift orpre"ent, 0e "0all "uffer t0e penalty for t0e offen"e 0i!0 a" not pro"e!ute#.

&f it i" t0e publi! offi!er 0o a"D" or #e3an#" "u!0 ift or pre"ent, 0e "0all"uffer t0e penalty of #eat0.: ;-e!. 4

;2idnapping and serious illegal detention for ranso resulting in the death ofthe victi or the victi is raped. tortured or sub/ected to dehuani)ing acts

:+0e penalty "0all be #eat0 0ere t0e Di#nappin or #etention a" !o33itte#for t0e purpo"e of ran"o3 fro3 t0e i!ti3 or any ot0er per"on, een if none of t0e

!ir!u3"tan!e" aboe3entione# ere pre"ent in t0e !o33i""ion of t0e offen"e.

(0en t0e i!ti3 i" Dille# or #ie" a" a !on"e=uen!e of t0e #etention or i" rape#,or i" "ub>e!t to torture or #e0u3aniin a!t", t0e 3a5i3u3 penalty [of #eat0]"0all be i3po"e#.: ;-e!.

;Destructive arson resulting in death

:&f a" a !on"e=uen!e of t0e !o33i""ion of any of t0e a!t" penalie# un#er t0i"Arti!le, #eat0 re"ult", t0e 3an#atory penalty of #eat0 "0all be i3po"e#.: ;-e!.16

;40ape 'ith the victi becoing insane. rape 'ith hoicide and 1ualified

:(0en by rea"on or on t0e o!!a"ion of t0e rape, t0e i!ti3 0a" be!o3e in"ane,t0e penalty "0all be #eat0.

555 555 555


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(0en by rea"on or on t0e o!!a"ion of t0e rape, a 0o3i!i#e i" !o33itte#, t0epenalty "0all be #eat0.

+0e #eat0 penalty "0all al"o be i3po"e# if t0e !ri3e of rape i" !o33itte# it0any of t0e folloin atten#ant !ir!u3"tan!e"

1.0en t0e i!ti3 i" un#er ei0teen ;1 year" of ae an# t0e offen#er i"a parent, a"!en#ant, "tepparent, uar#ian, relatie by !on"anuinity oraffinity it0in t0e t0ir# !iil #eree, or t0e !o33onla "pou"e of t0eparent or t0e i!ti3.

2.0en t0e i!ti3 i" un#er t0e !u"to#y of t0e poli!e or 3ilitaryaut0oritie".

.0en t0e rape i" !o33itte# in full ie of t0e 0u"ban#, parent,any of t0e !0il#ren or ot0er relatie" it0in t0e t0ir# #eree of

!on"anuinity.

4.0en t0e i!ti3 i" a reliiou" or a !0il# belo "een ;7 year"ol#

H.0en t0e offen#er Dno" t0at 0e i" affli!te# it0 A!=uire#&33une %efi!ien!y -yn#ro3e ;A&%- #i"ea"e.

8.0en !o33itte# by any 3e3ber of t0e Ar3e# For!e" of t0e0ilippine" or t0e 0ilippine National oli!e or any la enfor!e3entaen!y.

7.0en by rea"on or on t0e o!!a"ion of t0e rape, t0e i!ti3 0a""uffere# per3anent p0y"i!al 3utilation.: ;-e!. 11

;HSale. adinistration. delivery. distribution and transportation of prohibiteddrugs 'here the victi is a inor or the victi dies

:Notit0"tan#in t0e proi"ion of -e!tion 26 of t0i" A!t to t0e !ontrary, if t0ei!ti3 of t0e offen"e i" a 3inor, or "0oul# a pro0ibite# #ru inole# in anyoffen"e un#er t0i" -e!tion be t0e pro5i3ate !au"e of t0e #eat0 of i!ti3 t0ereof,t0e 3a5i3u3 penalty [of #eat0] 0erein proi#e# "0all be i3po"e#.: ;-e!. 1

;8%aintenance of den. dive. or resort for users of prohibited drugs 'here thevicti is a inor or the victi dies

:Notit0"tan#in t0e proi"ion" of -e!tion 26 of t0i" A!t to t0e !ontrary, t0e3a5i3u3 of t0e penalty [of #eat0] "0all be i3po"e# in eery !a"e 0ere apro0ibite# #ru i" a#3ini"tere#, #eliere# or "ol# to a 3inor 0o i" alloe# tou"e t0e "a3e in "u!0 pla!e.


30/67

-0oul# a pro0ibite# #ru be t0e pro5i3ate !a"e of t0e #eat0 of a per"on u"int0e "a3e in "u!0 #en, #ie or re"ort, t0e 3a5i3u3 penalty 0erein proi#e# "0allbe i3po"e# on t0e 3aintainer notit0"tan#in t0e proi"ion" of -e!tion 26 oft0i" A!t to t0e !ontrary.: ;-e!. 1

;7Sale. adinistration. dispensation. delivery. distribution and transportationof regulated drugs 'here the victi is a inor or the victi dies

:Notit0"tan#in t0e proi"ion" of -e!tion 26 of t0i" A!t to t0e !ontrary, if t0ei!ti3 of t0e offen"e i" a 3inor, or "0oul# a reulate# #ru inole# in anyoffen"e un#er t0i" -e!tion be t0e pro5i3ate !au"e of t0e #eat0 of a i!ti3t0ereof, t0e 3a5i3u3 penalty [of #eat0] 0erein proi#e# "0all be i3po"e#.:;-e!. 14

;%aintenance of den. dive. or resort for users of regulated drugs 'here thevicti is a inor or the victi dies

:Notit0"tan#in t0e proi"ion" of -e!tion 26 of t0i" A!t to t0e !ontrary, t0e3a5i3u3 penalty [of #eat0] 0erein proi#e# "0all be i3po"e# in eery !a"e0ere a reulate# #ru i" a#3ini"tere#, #eliere# or "ol# to a 3inor 0o i"alloe# to u"e t0e "a3e in "u!0 pla!e.

-0oul# a reulate# #ru be t0e pro5i3ate !au"e of #eat0 of a per"on u"in t0e"a3e in "u!0 #en, #ie or re"ort, t0e 3a5i3u3 penalty 0erein proi#e# "0all bei3po"e# on t0e 3aintainer notit0"tan#in t0e proi"ion" of -e!tion 26 of t0i"A!t to t0e !ontrary.: ;-e!. 1H

;9Drug offenses if convicted are governent officials. eployees or officersincluding ebers of police agencies and ared forces

:+0e 3a5i3u3 penaltie" [of #eat0] proi#e# for in -e!tion , 4 ;1, H;1, 8, 7,, 9, 11,12 an# 1 of Arti!le && an# -e!tion" 14, 14A, 14;1, 1HA ;1, 18, an#19 of Arti!le &&& [of t0e %anerou" %ru" A!t of 1972] "0all be i3po"e#, ift0o"e foun# uilty or any of t0e "a3e offen"e" are oern3ent offi!ial",e3ployee" or offi!er" in!lu#in 3e3ber" of poli!e aen!ie" an# t0e ar3e#for!e".: ;-e!. 19

;16Planting of dangerous drugs as evidence in drug offenses 'ith the

andatory death penalty if convicted are governent officials. eployees orofficers

:Any "u!0 aboe oern3ent offi!ial, e3ployee or offi!er 0o i" foun# uiltyof


31/67

ei#en!e to i3pli!ate t0e latter, "0all "uffer t0e "a3e penalty a" t0ereinproi#e#.: ;-e!. 19

;11(n all the cries in 0A+ 2o+ 3456 in their 1ualified for

:(0en in t0e !o33i""ion of t0e !ri3e, a#antae a" taDen by t0e offen#er of0i" publi! po"ition, t0e penalty to be i3po"e# "0all be in it" 3a5i3u3 [of #eat0]rear#le"" of 3itiatin !ir!u3"tan!e".

+0e 3a5i3u3 penalty [of #eat0] "0all be i3po"e# if t0e offen"e a" !o33itte#by any per"on 0o belon" to an oranie#J"yn#i!ate# !ri3e roup.

An oranie#J"yn#i!ate# !ri3e roup 3ean" a roup of to or 3ore per"on"!ollaboratin, !onfe#eratin or 3utually 0elpin one anot0er for purpo"e" ofain in t0e !o33i""ion of any !ri3e.: ;-e!. 2

&t i" "pe!ifi!ally aain"t t0e foreoin !apital !ri3e" t0at t0e te"t of 0einou"ne"" 3u"t be"=uarely applie#.

+0e eil of a !ri3e 3ay taDe ariou" for3". +0ere are !ri3e" t0at are, by t0eir erynature, #e"pi!able, eit0er be!au"e life a" !allou"ly taDen or t0e i!ti3 i" treate# liDe anani3al an# utterly #e0u3anie# a" to !o3pletely #i"rupt t0e nor3al !our"e of 0i" or 0errot0 a" a 0u3an bein. +0e ri0t of a per"on i" not only to lie but to lie a =ualitylife, an# t0i" 3ean" t0at t0e re"t of "o!iety i" obliate# to re"pe!t 0i" or 0er in#ii#ualper"onality, t0e interity an# t0e "an!tity of 0i" or 0er on p0y"i!al bo#y, an# t0e alue0e or "0e put" in 0i" or 0er on "piritual, p"y!0oloi!al, 3aterial an# "o!ial preferen!e"an# nee#". -een in t0i" li0t, t0e !apital !ri3e" of Di#nappin an# "eriou" illeal#etention for ran"o3 re"ultin in t0e #eat0 of t0e i!ti3 or t0e i!ti3 i" rape#, torture#,or "ub>e!te# to #e0u3aniin a!t") #e"tru!tie ar"on re"ultin in #eat0, an# #ru offen"e"inolin 3inor" or re"ultin in t0e #eat0 of t0e i!ti3 in t0e !a"e of ot0er !ri3e") a"ell a" 3ur#er, rape, parri!i#e, infanti!i#e, Di#nappin an# "eriou" illeal #etention0ere t0e i!ti3 i" #etaine# for 3ore t0an t0ree #ay" or "eriou" p0y"i!al in>urie" ereinfli!te# on t0e i!ti3 or t0reat" to Dill 0i3 ere 3a#e or t0e i!ti3 i" a 3inor, robberyit0 0o3i!i#e, rape or intentional 3utilation, #e"tru!tie ar"on, an# !arnappin 0eret0e oner, #rier or o!!upant of t0e !arnappe# e0i!le i" Dille# or rape#, 0i!0 arepenalie# by re!lu"ion perpetua to #eat0, are !learly 0einou" by t0eir ery nature.

+0ere are !ri3e", 0oeer, in 0i!0 t0e abo3ination lie" in t0e "inifi!an!e an#i3pli!ation" of t0e "ub>e!t !ri3inal a!t" in t0e "!0e3e of t0e larer "o!iopoliti!al an#e!ono3i! !onte5t in 0i!0 t0e "tate fin#" it"elf to be "trulin to #eelop an# proi#efor it" poor an# un#erpriilee# 3a""e". Reelin fro3 #e!a#e" of !orrupt tyranni!al rulet0at banDrupte# t0e oern3ent an# i3poeri"0e# t0e population, t0e 0ilippineGoern3ent 3u"t 3u"ter t0e politi!al ill to #i"3antle t0e !ulture of !orruption,#i"0one"ty, ree# an# "yn#i!ate# !ri3inality t0at "o #eeply entren!0e# it"elf in t0e


32/67

"tru!ture" of "o!iety an# p"y!0e of t0e popula!e. +erribly la!Din t0e 3oney to proi#eeen t0e 3o"t ba"i! "eri!e" to it" people, any for3 of 3i"appropriation or 3i"appli!ationof oern3ent fun#" tran"late" to an a!tual t0reat to t0e ery e5i"ten!e of oern3ent,an# in turn, t0e ery "urial of t0e people it oern" oer. *iee# in t0i" !onte5t, nole"" 0einou" are t0e effe!t" an# reper!u""ion" of !ri3e" liDe =ualifie# bribery, #e"tru!tie

ar"on re"ultin in #eat0, an# #ru offen"e" inolin oern3ent offi!ial", e3ployee" oroffi!er", t0at t0eir perpetrator" 3u"t not be alloe# to !au"e furt0er #e"tru!tion an##a3ae to "o!iety.

(e 0ae no #oubt, t0erefore, t0at in"ofar a" t0e ele3ent of 0einou"ne"" i" !on!erne#,R.A. No. 78H9 0a" !orre!tly i#entifie# !ri3e" arrantin t0e 3an#atory penalty of #eat0.A" to t0e ot0er !ri3e" in R.A. No. 78H9 puni"0e# by re!lu"ion perpetua to #eat0, t0ey area#3ittinly no le"" abo3inable t0an t0o"e 3an#atorily penalie# by #eat0. +0e properti3e to #eter3ine t0eir 0einou"ne"" in !onte3plation of la, i" 0en on auto3ati!reie, e are !alle# to pa"" on a #eat0 "enten!e inolin !ri3e" puni"0able by

re!lu"ion perpetua to #eat0 un#er R.A. No. 78H9, it0 t0e trial !ourt 3etin out t0e #eat0"enten!e in e5er!i"e of >u#i!ial #i"!retion. +0i" i" not to "ay, 0oeer, t0at t0earaatin !ir!u3"tan!e" un#er t0e Rei"e# enal Co#e nee# be a##itionally allee# a"e"tabli"0in t0e 0einou"ne"" of t0e !ri3e for t0e trial !ourt to ali#ly i3po"e t0e #eat0penalty in t0e !ri3e" un#er R.A. No. 78H9 0i!0 are puni"0e# it0 t0e fle5ible penaltyof re!lu"ion perpetua to #eat0.

&n t0e fir"t pla!e, t0e 197 Con"titution #i# not a3en# or repeal t0e proi"ion" of t0eRei"e# enal Co#e relatin to araatin !ir!u3"tan!e". -e!on#ly, R.A. No. 78H9,0ile it "pe!ifie" !ir!u3"tan!e" t0at enerally =ualify a !ri3e proi#e# t0erein to bepuni"0e# by t0e 3a5i3u3 penalty of #eat0, neit0er a3en#" nor repeal" t0e araatin!ir!u3"tan!e" un#er t0e Rei"e# enal Co#e. +0u", !on"truin R.A. No. 78H9 inpariateriait0 t0e Rei"e# enal Co#e, #eat0 3ay be i3po"e# 0en ;1 araatin!ir!u3"tan!e" atten# t0e !o33i""ion of t0e !ri3e a" to 3aDe operatie t0e proi"ion oft0e Rei"e# enal Co#e rear#in t0e i3po"ition of t0e 3a5i3u3 penalty) an# ;2 ot0er!ir!u3"tan!e" atten# t0e !o33i""ion of t0e !ri3e 0i!0 in#ubitably !0ara!terie t0e"a3e a" 0einou" in !onte3plation of R.A. No. 78H9 t0at >u"tify t0e i3po"ition of t0e#eat0, albeit t0e i3po"able penalty i" re!lu"ion perpetua to #eat0. (it0out #iffi!ulty, eun#er"tan# t0e rationale for t0e ui#e# #i"!retion rante# in t0e trial !ourt to !onie

!ir!u3"tan!e" t0at !0ara!terie t0e !o33i""ion of t0e !ri3e a" 0einou". Certainly t0ere i"an infinity of !ir!u3"tan!e" t0at 3ay atten# t0e !o33i""ion of a !ri3e to t0e "a3e e5tentt0at t0ere i" no tellin t0e eil t0at 3an i" !apable of. +0e lei"lature !annot an# nee# notfore"ee an# in"!ribe in la ea!0 an# eery loat0"o3e a!t 3an i" !apable of. &t i""uffi!ient t0u" t0at R.A. 78H9 proi#e" t0e te"t an# yar#"ti!D for t0e #eter3ination of t0eleal "ituation arrantin t0e i3po"ition of t0e "upre3e penalty of #eat0. Nee#le"" to"ay, e are not unaare of t0e eer e5i"tin #aner of abu"e of #i"!retion on t0e part of


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t0e trial !ourt in 3etin out t0e #eat0 "enten!e. re!i"ely to re#u!e to nil t0e po""ibility ofe5e!utin an inno!ent 3an or one !ri3inal but not 0einou"ly !ri3inal, R.A. 78H9 i"replete it0 bot0 pro!e#ural an# "ub"tantie "afeuar#" t0at en"ure only t0e !orre!tappli!ation of t0e 3an#ate of R.A. No. 78H9.

&n t0e !our"e of t0e !onre""ional #ebate" on t0e !on"titutional re=uire3ent t0at t0e #eat0penalty be rei3po"e# for !o3pellin rea"on" inolin 0einou" !ri3e", e note t0at t0e3ain ob>e!tion to t0e #eat0 penalty bill reole# aroun# t0e per"i"tent #e3an# of t0eabolitioni"t" for a "tate3ent of t0e rea"on in ea!0 an# eery 0einou" !ri3e an# "tati"ti!alproof t0e "u!0 !o3pellin rea"on a!tually e5i"t".

(e beliee, 0oeer, t0at t0e ele3ent" of 0einou"ne"" an# !o3pul"ion are in"eparablean# are, in fa!t, inter"per"e# it0 ea!0 ot0er. Be!au"e t0e "ub>e!t !ri3e" are eit0er "oreoltin an# #eba"in a" to iolate t0e 3o"t 3ini3u3 of t0e 0u3an "tan#ar#" of#e!en!y or it" effe!t", reper!u""ion", i3pli!ation" an# !on"e=uen!e" "o #e"tru!tie,

#e"tabiliin, #ebilitatin, or araatin in t0e !onte5t of our "o!iopoliti!al an#e!ono3i! aen#a a" a #eelopin nation, t0e"e !ri3e" 3u"t be fru"trate#, !urtaile# an#altoet0er era#i!ate#. +0ere !an be no if" or but" in t0e fa!e of eil, an# e !annot affor#to ait until e rub elbo" it0 it before ra"pin it by t0e ear" an# t0ra"0in it to it"#e3i""ion. !#a

+0e abolitioni"t" in !onre"" in"i"te# t0at all !ri3inal refor3" fir"t be pur"ue# an#i3ple3ente# before t0e #eat0 penalty be rei3po"e# in !a"e "u!0 refor3" proeun"u!!e""ful. +0ey !lai3e# t0at t0e only !o3pellin rea"on !onte3plate# of by t0e!on"titution i" t0at not0in el"e but t0e #eat0 penalty i" left for t0e oern3ent to re"ortto t0at !oul# !0e!D t0e !0ao" an# t0e #e"tru!tion t0at i" bein !au"e# by unbri#le#!ri3inality. +0ree of our !olleaue", are of t0e opinion t0at t0e !o3pellin rea"onre=uire# by t0e !on"titution i" t0at t0ere o!!urre# a #ra3ati! an# "inifi!ant !0ane in t0e"o!io!ultural 3ilieu after t0e "u"pen"ion of t0e #eat0 penalty on February 2, 197 "u!0a" an unpre!e#ente# ri"e in t0e in!i#en!e of !ri3inality. -u!0 are, 0oeer,interpretation" only of t0e p0ra"e :!o3pellin rea"on": but not of t0e !on>un!tie p0ra"e:!o3pellin rea"on" inolin 0einou" !ri3e":. +0e i3po"ition of t0e re=uire3ent t0att0ere be a ri"e in t0e in!i#en!e of !ri3inality be!au"e of t0e "u"pen"ion of t0e #eat0penalty, 3oreoer, i" an unfair an# 3i"pla!e# #e3an#, for 0at it a3ount" to, in fa!t, i" are=uire3ent t0at t0e #eat0 penalty fir"t proe" it"elf to be a truly #eterrent fa!tor in!ri3inal be0aior. &f t0ere a" a #ra3ati!ally 0i0er in!i#en!e of !ri3inality #urin t0e

ti3e t0at t0e #eat0 penalty a" "u"pen#e#, t0at oul# 0ae proen t0at t0e #eat0 penaltya" in#ee# a #eterrent #urin t0e year" before it" "u"pen"ion. -uffi!e it to "ay t0at t0e!on"titution in t0e fir"t pla!e #i# not re=uire t0at t0e #eat0 penalty be fir"t proen to be a#eterrent) 0at it re=uire" i" t0at t0ere be !o3pellin rea"on" inolin 0einou" !ri3e".

Arti!le &&&, -e!tion 19 ;1 of t0e 197 Con"titution "i3ply "tate" t0at !onre"", for!o3pellin rea"on" inolin 0einou" !ri3e", 3ay rei3po"e t0e #eat0 penalty. Not0in


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in t0e "ai# proi"ion i3po"e" a re=uire3ent t0at for a #eat0 penalty bill to be ali#, apo"itie 3anife"tation in t0e for3 of a 0i0er in!i#en!e of !ri3e "0oul# fir"t be per!eie#an# "tati"ti!ally proen folloin t0e "u"pen"ion of t0e #eat0 penalty. Neit0er #oe" t0e"ai# proi"ion re=uire t0at t0e #eat0 penalty be re"orte# to a" a la"t re!our"e 0en allot0er !ri3inal refor3" 0ae faile# to abate !ri3inality in "o!iety. &t i" i33aterial an#

irreleant t0at R.A. No. 78H9 !ite" t0at t0ere 0a" been an :alar3in up"ure of "u!0!ri3e":, for t0e "a3e a" neer inten#e# by "ai# la to be t0e yar#"ti!D to #eter3ine t0ee5i"ten!e of !o3pellin rea"on" inolin 0einou" !ri3e". Fittinly, t0u", 0at R.A. No.78H9 "tate" i" t0at :t0e Conre"", in t0e intere"t of >u"ti!e, publi! or#er an# rule of la,an# t0e nee# to rationalie an# 0ar3onie t0e penal "an!tion" for 0einou" !ri3e", fin#"!o3pellin rea"on" to i3po"e t0e #eat0 penalty for "ai# !ri3e".:

(e no pro!ee# to an"er a!!u"e#appellantury t0at i" ien t0e un!on#itional #i"!retion to#eter3ine 0et0er or not to i3po"e t0e #eat0 penalty. &n fa!t, t0e lon roa# of t0eA3eri!an abolitioni"t 3oe3ent lea#in to t0e lan#3arD !a"e ofFuran a" treDDe# byA3eri!an !iil ri0t" a#o!ate" ealou"ly fi0tin aain"t ra!ial #i"!ri3ination. +0u", t0e?.-. -upre3e Court "tate# inFuran

:(e !annot "ay fro3 fa!t" #i"!lo"e# in t0e"e re!or#" t0at t0e"e #efen#ant" ere"enten!e# to #eat0 be!au"e t0ey ere bla!D. @et our ta"D i" not re"tri!te# to aneffort to #iine 0at 3otie" i3pelle# t0e"e #eat0 penaltie". Rat0er, e #ealit0 a "y"te3 of la an# of >u"ti!e t0at leae" to t0e un!ontrolle# #i"!retion of

>u#e" or >urie" t0e #eter3ination 0et0er #efen#ant" !o33ittin t0e"e !ri3e""0oul# #ie . . . .

555 555 555

&n a Nation !o33itte# to e=ual prote!tion of t0e la" t0ere i" no per3i""ible


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>urie" in i3po"in t0e #eat0 penalty enable" t0e penalty to be "ele!tielyapplie#, fee#in pre>u#i!e" aain"t t0e a!!u"e# if 0e i" poor an# #e"pi"e#. . . .

555 555 555

+0u", t0e"e #i"!retionary "tatute" are un!on"titutional in t0eir operation. +0eyare prenant it0 #i"!ri3ination an# #i"!ri3ination i" an inre#ient not!o3patible it0 t0e i#ea of e=ual prote!tion of t0e la" t0at i" i3pli!it in t0eban on u#e" an#"enten!in >urie" a" un!ontrolle# an# it0out any para3eter", ui#eline", or "tan#ar#"inten#e# to le""en, if not altoet0er eli3inate, t0e interention of per"onal bia"e",pre>u#i!e" an# #i"!ri3inatory a!t" on t0e part of t0e trial >u#e" an# "enten!in >urie".

Con"e=uently, in t0e after3at0 ofFuran, 0en 3o"t of t0e "tate" reena!te# t0eir #eat0penalty "tatute" no bearin t0e pro!e#ural !0e!D" t0at ere re=uire# by t0e ?.-.-upre3e Court, "ai# !ourt affir3e# t0e !on"titutionality of t0e ne #eat0 penalty "tatute"in t0e !a"e" of Gregg v.Georgia, 427urek v.Te"as, 4an#Profitt v.Florida. 44

Ne5t, a!!u"e#appellant a""eerate" t0at t0e #eat0 penalty i" a !ruel, in0u3an or#era#in puni"03ent for t0e !ri3e of rape 3ainly be!au"e t0e latter, unliDe 3ur#er,#oe" not inole t0e taDin of life. &n "upport of 0i" !ontention, a!!u"e#appellant larelyrelie" on t0e rulin of t0e ?.-. -upre3e Court in $oker v.Georgia.4H

&n$oker.t0e ?.-. -upre3e Court rule# a" follo"

:. . . &t i" no "ettle# t0at t0e #eat0 penalty i" not inariably !ruel an# unu"ualpuni"03ent it0in t0e 3eanin of t0e Ei0t0 A3en#3ent) it i" not in0erentlybarbari! or an una!!eptable 3o#e of puni"03ent for !ri3e) neit0er i" it alay"#i"proportionate to t0e !ri3e for 0i!0 it i" i3po"e#. &t i" al"o e"tabli"0e# t0ati3po"in !apital puni"03ent, at lea"t for 3ur#er, in a!!or#an!e it0 t0epro!e#ure" proi#e# un#er t0e Georia "tatute" "ae" t0e "enten!e fro3 t0einfir3itie" 0i!0 le# t0e Court to inali#ate t0e prior Georia !apitalpuni"03ent "tatute in Fur3an . Georia . . . .

555 555 555

&n Gre [. Georia] . . . t0e Court


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t0e =ue"tion of t0e !on"titutionality of t0e #eat0 penalty 0en i3po"e# for ot0er!ri3e". . . .

+0at =ue"tion, it0 re"pe!t to rape of an a#ult o3an, i" no before u".

555 555 555

. . . [+]0e publi! >u#3ent it0 re"pe!t to rape, a" refle!te# in t0e "tatute"proi#in t0e puni"03ent for t0at !ri3e, 0a" been #ra3ati!ally #ifferent. &nreiin #eat0 penalty la" to "ati"fy Fur3ane!tin !apital puni"03ent a" a "uitable penalty for rapin an a#ulto3an.

. . . [+]0e lei"latie re>e!tion of !apital puni"03ent for rape "tronly !onfir3"our on >u#3ent, 0i!0 i" t0at #eat0 i" in#ee# a #i"proportionate penalty fort0e !ri3e of rapin an a#ult o3an.

(e #o not #i"!ount t0e "eriou"ne"" of rape a" a !ri3e. &t i" 0i0ly repre0en"ible,bot0 in a 3oral "en"e an# in it" al3o"t total !onte3pt for t0e per"onal interityan# autono3y of t0e fe3ale i!ti3 an# for t0e latter


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t0o"e it0 0o3 inti3ate relation"0ip" are to be e"tabli"0e#. -0ort of 0o3i!i#e,it i" t0e urya" ell.

Rape i" it0out #oubt #e"erin of "eriou" puni"03ent) but in ter3" of 3oral#epraity an# of t0e in>ury to t0e per"on an# to t0e publi!, it #oe" not !o3pareit0 3ur#er, 0i!0 #oe" inole t0e un>u"tifie# taDin of 0u3an life. Alt0ou0it 3ay be a!!o3panie# by anot0er !ri3e, rape by #efinition #oe" not in!lu#e t0e#eat0 of or een t0e "eriou" in>ury to anot0er per"on. +0e 3ur#erer Dill") t0erapi"t, if no 3ore t0an t0at, #oe" not. 'ife i" oer for t0e i!ti3 of t0e 3ur#erer)for t0e rape i!ti3, life 3ay not be nearly "o 0appy a" it a", but it i" not oeran# nor3ally i" not beyon# repair. (e 0ae t0e abi#in !oni!tion t0at t0e

#eat0 penalty, 0i!0 e!t poerty t0rou0 oranie#oern3ental "trateie" ba"e# on a #i"!ipline# an# 0one"t !itienry, an# be!au"e t0ey0ae "o !au"e# irreparable an# "ub"tantial in>ury to bot0 t0eir i!ti3 an# t0e "o!iety an#a repetition of t0eir a!t" oul# po"e a!tual t0reat to t0e "afety of in#ii#ual" an# t0e"urial of oern3ent, t0ey 3u"t be per3anently preente# fro3 #oin "o. At any rate,


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t0i" !ourt 0a" no #oubt" a" to t0e innate 0einou"ne"" of t0e !ri3e of rape, a" e 0ae 0el#in t0e !a"e ofPeople v.$ristobal 48

:Rape i" t0e for!ible iolation of t0e "e5ual inti3a!y of anot0er per"on. &t #oe"in>ury to >u"ti!e an# !0arity. Rape #eeply oun#" t0e re"pe!t, free#o3, an#

p0y"i!al an# 3oral interity to 0i!0 eery per"on 0a" a ri0t. &t !au"e" rae#a3ae t0at !an 3arD t0e i!ti3 for life. &t i" alay" an intrin"i!ally eil a!t . . .an outrae upon #e!en!y an# #inity t0at 0urt" not only t0e i!ti3 but t0e"o!iety it"elf.:

(e are not unaare t0at for all t0e leal po"turin" e 0ae "o e""aye# 0ere, at t0e 0eartof t0e i""ue of !apital puni"03ent i" t0e i"tful, "enti3ental lifean##eat0 =ue"tion to0i!0 all of u", it0out t0inDin, oul# an"er, :life, of !our"e, oer #eat0:. But #ealinit0 t0e fun#a3ental =ue"tion of #eat0 proi#e" a !onte5t for "trulin it0 een 3oreba"i! =ue"tion", for to rapple it0 t0e 3eanin of #eat0 i", in an in#ire!t ay, to a"D t0e3eanin of life. t0eri"e put, to a"D 0at t0e ri0t" are of t0e #yin i" to a"D 0at t0eri0t" are of t0e liin.

:Capital puni"03ent ou0t not to be aboli"0e# "olely be!au"e it i" "ub"tantiallyrepul"ie, if infinitely le"" repul"ie t0an t0e a!t" 0i!0 inoDe it. @et t0e3ountin eal for it" abolition "ee3" to ari"e fro3 a "enti3entalie#0yperfa"ti#iou"ne"" t0at "eeD" to e5pune fro3 t0e "o!iety all t0at appear" 0ar"0an# "uppre""ie. &f e are to pre"ere t0e 0u3ane "o!iety e ill 0ae to retain"uffi!ient "trent0 of !0ara!ter an# ill to #o t0e unplea"ant in or#er t0attran=uillity an# !iility 3ay rule !o3pre0en"iely. &t "ee3" ery liDely t0at!apital puni"03ent i" a . . . ne!e""ary, if li3ite# fa!tor in t0at 3aintenan!e of"o!ial tran=uillity an# ou0t to be retaine# on t0i" roun#. +o #o ot0eri"e i" toin#ule in t0e lu5ury of per3ittin a "en"e of fal"e #eli!a!y to rein oer t0ene!e""ity of "o!ial "urial.:47

(EREFRE, in ie of all t0e foreoin, t0e $otion for Re!on"i#eration an# t0e-upple3ental $otion for Re!on"i#eration are 0ereby %EN&E% 48for 'AC F $ER&+.

- R%ERE%.

2arvasa. $ .7 .. Padilla. 0egalado. Davide. 7r.. 0oero. Bellosillo. %elo. Puno. #itug.apunan. %endo)a. Francisco. &erosisia. 7r.. Panganiban.an# Torres. 7r.. 77 ..

!on!ur.

Separate Opinions

+i3e 0a" tran"for3e# 3an into a 0i0ly intelle!tual an# !iilie#, a" ell a", & i"0 tobeliee, a 0u3ane an# !o3pa""ionate, bein. +0e an!ient e#i!t of :an eye for an eye, atoot0 for a toot0: 0a" "in!e been aban#one# by a "o!iety t0at re!onie" t0e oo# in
http://www.cdasiaonline.com/search/show_article/13488?search=title%3A+(echegaray)#footnoteshttp://www.cdasiaonline.com/search/show_article/13488?search=title%3A+(echegaray)#footnoteshttp://www.cdasiaonline.com/search/show_article/13488?search=title%3A+(echegaray)#footnoteshttp://www.cdasiaonline.com/search/show_article/13488?search=title%3A+(echegaray)#footnoteshttp://www.cdasiaonline.com/search/show_article/13488?search=title%3A+(echegaray)#footnoteshttp://www.cdasiaonline.com/search/show_article/13488?search=title%3A+(echegaray)#footnoteshttp://www.cdasiaonline.com/search/show_article/13488?search=title%3A+(echegaray)#footnoteshttp://www.cdasiaonline.com/search/show_article/13488?search=title%3A+(echegaray)#footnoteshttp://www.cdasiaonline.com/search/show_article/13488?search=title%3A+(echegaray)#footnotes


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eery 3an an# ie" a tran"re""or an opportunity to refor3. -o3e0o, 0oeer, !ertaine"tie" of "aae retribution "till re3ain) in#ee#, t0e taDin of a 0u3an life !ontinue", atlea"t in "o3e penal "y"te3", to be an a!!eptable puni"03ent.

&n t0i" !ountry, t0e i""ue of 0et0er or not t0e -tate "0oul# i3po"e t0e #eat0 penalty 0a"

re!ently been re"ole# it0 t0e ratifi!ation, on 62 February 197, of t0e Con"titution by78.29P of t0e ele!torate. -e!tion 19, Arti!le &&&, t0ereof, "tate"

:-e!. 19.;1 E5!e""ie fine" "0all not be i3po"e#, nor !ruel, #era#in orin0u3an puni"03ent infli!te#. Neit0er "0all #eat0 penalty be i3po"e#, unle"",for !o3pellin rea"on" inolin 0einou" !ri3e", t0e Conre"" 0ereafterproi#e" for it. Any #eat0 penalty alrea#y i3po"e# "0all be re#u!e# to reclusionperpetua.:

ur" i" a rule of la. +0e -upre3e Court i" not a politi!al entity) it !an 3erely apply an#interpret t0e la. &t !annot, an# it ill not, "pare it"elf fro3 t0i" !on"titutionally3an#ate# #uty. %eat0 penalty !a"e" are not e5!epte#. &n t0e #i"!0are of it" raere"pon"ibility, neert0ele"", t0e Court 3u"t a!t it0 reate"t !aution an# "tri!te"t!ir!u3"pe!tion for t0ere !an be no "taDe t0at !an be 0i0er, an# no penalty t0at !an beraer, t0an t0e e5tin!tion by t0e -tate of 0u3an life.

+0e #eter3ination of 0en to pre"!ribe t0e #eat0 penalty no lie" it0 t0e "oun##i"!retion of t0e la3aDin aut0ority, t0e Conre"" of t0e 0ilippine", "ub>e!t to t0e!on#ition" t0at t0e fun#a3ental la 0a" "et fort0, vi)

;1+0at t0ere 3u"t be copelling reasonsto >u"tify t0e i3po"ition of t0e#eat0 penalty) an#

;2+0at t0e !apital offen"e 3u"t inole a heinous crie.

&t appear" to 3e t0at t0e Con"titution #i# not !onte3plate a "i3ple :rei3po"ition: oft0e #eat0 penalty to offen"e" t0eretofore alrea#y proi#e# in t0e Rei"e# enal Co#eor >u"t be!au"e of it.

+0e ter3 :!o3pellin rea"on": "0oul# be enou0 to in#i!ate t0at t0ere 3u"t be a 3arDe#!0ane in t0e 3ilieu fro3 t0at 0i!0 0a" preaile# at t0e ti3e of a#option of t0e 197Con"titution, on t0e one 0an#, to t0at 0i!0 e5i"t" at t0e ena!t3ent of t0e "tatutepre"!ribin t0e #eat0 penalty, upon t0e ot0er 0an#, t0at oul# 3aDe it #i"tin!tielyine5orable to 3an#ate t0e #eat0 penalty. +0at 3ilieu 3u"t 0ae turne# fro3 ba# toor"e.


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$o"t i3portantly, t0e !ir!u3"tan!e" t0at oul# !0ara!terie t0e :0einou" nature: of t0e!ri3e an# 3aDe it "o e5!eptionally offen"ie a" to arrant t0e #eat0 penalty 3u"t be"pelle# out it0 reat !larity in t0e la. +o enture, in t0e !a"e of 3ur#er, t0e !ri3e!oul# be!o3e :0einou": it0in t0e Con"titutional !on!ept 0en, to e5e3plify, t0e i!ti3i" unne!e""arily "ub>e!te# to a painful an# e5!ru!iatin #eat0, or in t0e !ri3e of rape

0en t0e offen#e# party i" !allou"ly 0u3iliate# or een brutally Dille# by t0e a!!u"e#.

& "ub3it t0at, ien t0e !ir!u3"tan!e" an# t0e la before u", t0e Con"titutional fiat ;nobein rai"e# for t0e fir"t ti3e in t0e in"tant $otion for Re!on"i#eration in t0e i3po"itionof t0e #eat0 penalty 0a" not been "ati"fie#.

&, t0erefore, ote for i3po"in in"tea# t0e penalty of reclusion perpetua;t0e ne5t loerpenalty t0an #eat0.

Death Penalty La' 8nconstitutional

&n 0i" -upple3ental $otion for Re!on"i#eration 1#ate# Auu"t 22, 1998 file# by 0i"nelyretaine# !oun"el, 2t0e a!!u"e# rai"e" for t0e fir"t ti3e a ery !ru!ial roun# for 0i"#efen"e t0at Republi! A!t No. 78H9, t0e la rei3po"in t0e #eat0 penalty, i"un!on"titutional. &n t0e Brief an# ;oriinal $otion for Re!on"i#eration file# by 0i"preiou" !oun"el, 3t0i" tran"!en#ental i""ue a" not brou0t up. en!e, it a" not pa""e#upon by t0i" Court in it" %e!i"ion affir3in t0e trial !ourt


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penalty e5tant a" of t0e effe!tiity of t0e Con"titution !learly re!onie" t0at, 0ile t0e!oni!tion of an a!!u"e# for a !apital !ri3e re3ain", #eat0 a" a penalty !ea"e# to e5i"t inour penal la" an# t0u" 3ay no loner be !arrie# out. +0i" i" t0e !lear intent of t0efra3er" of our Con"titution. A" Co33. Berna" e5!lai3e#, 6:;t0e 3a>ority ote# for t0e!on"titutional abolition of t0e #eat0 penalty.:

Citin t0i" an# ot0er "i3ilar pronoun!e3ent" of t0e #i"tinui"0e# Con!o3 #eleate,$3e. Ku"ti!e A3eurfina $elen!ioerrera e3p0a"ie#, 7:&t i" t0u" !lear t0at 0en Fr.Berna" "pon"ore# t0e proi"ion rear#in t0e noni3po"ition of t0e #eat0 penalty, 0at0e 0a# in 3in# a" t0e total abolition an# re3oal fro3 t0e "tatute booD" of t0e #eat0penalty. +0i" be!a3e t0e intent of t0e fra3er" of t0e Con"titution 0en t0ey approe# t0eproi"ion an# 3a#e it a part of t0e Bill of Ri0t".: (it0 "u!0 abolition a" a pre3i"e,re"toration t0ereof be!o3e" an e5!eption to a !on"titutional 3an#ate. Bein an e5!eptionan# t0u" in #eroation of t0e Con"titution, it 3u"t t0en be "tri!tly !on"true# aain"t t0e-tate an# liberally in faor of t0e people. 8&n t0i" li0t, RA 78H9 en>oy" no pre"u3ption

of !on"titutionality.

The $onstitution Strictly Liits

$ongressional Prerogative to Prescribe Death

+o 3e, it i" ery !lear t0at t0e Con"titution ;1 effe!tiely re3oe# t0e #eat0 penaltyfro3 t0e t0en e5i"tin "tatute" but ;2 aut0orie# Conre"" to re"tore it at "o3e futureti3e to enable or e3poer !ourt" to rei3po"e it on !on#ition t0at it ;Conre"" 9fin#":!o3pellin rea"on", inolin 0einou" !ri3e".: +0e lanuae of t0e Con"titution i"e3p0ati! ;een if :aDar#: 10 t0e aut0ority of Conre"" to :proi#e for it: i" notab"olute. Rat0er, it i" "tri!tly li3ite#

;1by :!o3pellin rea"on": t0at 3ay ari"e after t0e Con"titution be!a3eeffe!tie) an#

;2to !ri3e" 0i!0 Conre"" "0oul# i#entify or #efine or !0ara!terie a":0einou".:

+0e Con"titution ine5orably pla!e# upon Conre"" t0e bur#en of #eter3inin t0ee5i"ten!e of :!o3pellin rea"on": an# of #efinin 0at !ri3e" are :0einou": before it

!oul# e5er!i"e it" la3aDin preroatie to re"tore t0e #eat0 penalty. For !larity


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&n t0e e5er!i"e of t0i" fun#a3ental 3an#ate, Conre"" ena!te# RA 78H9 11to :proi#e forit: ;t0e #eat0 penalty ;1 by a3en#in !ertain proi"ion" of t0e Rei"e# enal Co#e) 12;2 by in!orporatin a ne arti!le t0erein) 13an# ; by a3en#in !ertain "pe!ial la". 14

But RA 78H9 #i# not !0ane t0e nature or t0e ele3ent" of t0e !ri3e" "tate# in t0e enal

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