Catholic Church tells Pacquiao: Retribution belongs to God only

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The Diocese of Bacolod has reacted to the statement of Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao that he is in favor of President Rodrigo Duterte’s re-imposition of the death penalty for heinous crimes.

Pacquaio, who was in Bacolod on Wednesday for the inaugural rites of elected Bacolod City officials, said in an ambush interview that he wants to revive the capital punishment for heinous crimes like drug trafficking, kidnap-for-ransom, rape, and murder.

Father Felix Pasquin, rector of the San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod and head of its Diocesan Social Communications, said whether it is done by a criminal or a legitimate person of authority, killing is always forbidden under God’s fifth commandment.

Pacquiao said he has filed a bill seeking to reimpose death penalty for heinous crimes. It was one of the first 10 bills he filed on Tuesday.

Pacquaio said that many people were killed and raped because of drugs. “There are many crimes that are drug-related,” he added. “Constitutionally, biblically, death penalty is legal,” said Pacquiao, a Born-Again Christian.

Pasquin said he is worried of Duterte’s statement that the death penalty will serve as “retribution” for those aggravated by crimes.

“That (retribution) is reserved only to God,” Pasquin said, adding that the sacredness of human life will be put at stake, if the bill is passed.

“Retribution by God can either be entrance to eternal happiness in paradise, or eternal damnation in hell,” the priest added.   (FREEMAN)