Bill seeks death by firing squad for corrupt govt execs

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ZAMBOANGA City Rep. Khymer Olaso has filed a bill seeking the imposition of the death penalty by firing squad for public officials convicted of corruption, saying the proposed law is “not merely punitive but also symbolic of the Philippines’ zero-tolerance policy for corruption.”

“Corruption remains one of the gravest threats to the Philippines’ social, economic, and political development. Despite the existence of numerous laws aimed at combating graft, malversation, and plunder, the persistence of these crimes suggests that current measures are insufficient to deter public officials from engaging in corrupt practices,” Olaso said in House Bill 11211, or the proposed Death Penalty for Corruption Act.

HBN 11211 seeks to impose the death penalty on public officials – from the President to the lowest barangay official – convicted by the Sandiganbayan of graft and corruption, malversation of public funds and plunder.

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The capital punishment was abolished under the administration of then president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo.

Olaso said the misuse of public funds and betrayal of public trust “not only undermine the government’s legitimacy but also deprive millions of

Filipinos of essential services, infrastructure, and opportunities for growth.”

“The bill emphasizes accountability and deterrence, making it clear that public office is a public trust, and any violation of that trust must be met with the severest consequences,” he said.

He also said that the re-imposition of the death penalty for graft and corruption, malversation of public funds and plunder “is grounded on the principle of retributive justice, recognizing the magnitude of harm inflicted by corrupt practices.”

Olaso said his proposed bill is aligned with the constitutional mandate under Article XI of the 1987 Constitution which “underscores accountability among public officers and declares that public office is a public trust.”

“Furthermore, this bill reinforces the legislative intent behind Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) and Republic Act No. 7080 (Plunder Law) by ensuring that the penalties are commensurate with the crimes committed,” he also said.

HBN 11211, however, provides that no public official or any member of the military or police, shall be executed by firing squad unless their conviction has been affirmed by the Supreme Court; the conviction underwent mandatory automatic review process as required by the Constitution and other applicable laws; and the accused has exhausted all legal remedies available under Philippine law, including appeals and motions for reconsideration.

“These safeguards aim to uphold the fundamental rights of the accused while ensuring that the imposition of the death penalty is applied only in cases where guilt is conclusively established,” Olaso said.

Surigao del Norte Rep. Ace Barbers, who has filed a bill seeking to impose the capital punishment for those found guilty of heinous crimes, including drug related crimes, expressed support for Olaso’s proposal.

When asked if he is in favor of death by firing squad as proposed under Olaso’s bill, Barbers said: “If that is going to be the accepted mode of the majority of the members of Congress, both in the House and in the Senate, then so be it.”

“I have a bill imposing the death penalty for heinous crimes, including drug-related crimes, but in the course of the deliberations, we can consider plunder. There’s a strong sentiment among the people to restore the death penalty,” Barbers said.

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