RP now banned from reintroducing death penalty after signing UN protocol

The Philippines signed yesterday a United Nations protocol banning the reimposition of death penalty in the country.

A ranking Department of Foreign Affairs official, who asked not to be named, said the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights requires "presidential ratification," not Senate concurrence.

"The Secretary’s act needs to be ratified by the President," the official said.

"The signed copy of the Optional Protocol will be forwarded by the DFA to the President for presidential ratification. This will not need Senate concurrence because this is pursuant to a congressional enactment or a law."

Signing the Second Optional Protocol on behalf of the government at UN Headquarters in New York was Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo.

Speaking after signing the protocol, Romulo said the Philippines binds itself before the world to uphold and protect the life of individuals, and turns its back on capital punishment by signing and acceding to the Second Optional Protocol.

"For my country and its people, the sanctity of the life of the individual is a paramount value," he said.

"For my government, the protection of human life is a sacred commitment. Today, the Philippines renews this commitment. With the signing of the Second Optional Protocol to the Convention on Civil and Political Rights, the Philippine government binds itself before the world to uphold and protect the life of the individual."

Romulo said President Arroyo signed into law Republic Act 9346, abolishing the death penalty to "give further expression the constitutional mandate against the death penalty."

"With the signing of the Second Optional Protocol, the Philippine government reemphasizes its unrelenting commitment to strengthen the protection of human rights," he said.

Romulo said by signing the protocol, the Philippines "upholds in a clear and categorical manner" human dignity and the fundamental right to life.

But even before signing into law RA 9346, Mrs. Arroyo had always maintained a moratorium on the death penalty, he added.

Romulo said the abolition of the death penalty and the signing of the Second Optional Protocol is a fulfillment of the Philippines’ pledge as a founding member of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.

"Today we turn our backs on capital punishment and take a bold and confident step forward, in the name of life," he said.