House Bill Proposes Death Penalty for Corruption

A congressman from Mindanao has filed House Bill (HB) 1211, or the proposed Death Penalty for Corruption Act, which seeks to revive capital punishment, specifically proposing that government officials convicted of graft and corruption, malversation of public funds and plunder face the firing squad.

- By JOSE RODEL CLAPANO

HB 1211 seeks to impose death by firing squad for public officials, from the president to the lowest barangay official, who are convicted by the Sandiganbayan of graft and corruption, malversation of public funds and plunder.

In filing the bill, principal author Zamboanga 1st district Rep. Khymer Adan Olaso wants to amend and repeal Republic Act 9346 or the "Act Prohibiting the Imposition of the Death Penalty in the Philippines," and RA 7659 or the "Death Penalty Law," citing corruption as one of the gravest threats to the country's social, economic and political development.