House bill proposes death by firing squad for corrupt public officials
A bill seeking to punish corrupt officials with death by firing squad has been filed before the House of Representatives.
Zamboanga City 1st District Rep. Kymer Adan Olaso authored House Bill 11211, which would impose the death penalty on officials convicted by the Sandiganbayan of graft and corruption, malversation of public funds, and plunder.
In his explanatory note, Olaso said 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," he said.
The imposition of death penalty for the crimes, Olaso said, is "grounded in the principle of retributive justice" and "aligns" with the constitutional mandate under Article XI of the 1987 Constitution.
The proposed measure states that the penalty will apply to all public officials, whether elected or appointed, including those in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, as well as those in constitutional commissions, government-owned and controlled corporations, and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police.
Public officials found guilty would be sentenced to death by firing squad. They will only be executed under the following conditions:
- Their conviction has been affirmed by the Supreme Court
- The conviction has undergone the mandatory automatic review process
- The accused has exhausted all legal remedies available under Philippine law, including appeals and motions for reconsideration
"While the death penalty was previously abolished under Republic Act No. 9346, the gravity of corruption as a crime against society justifies its reintroduction for specific heinous offenses," Olaso said.
He added, "By passing this legislation, Congress sends a strong message that integrity and accountability are paramount in public service and that the misuse of public resources will not be tolerated."
House Deputy Majority Leader Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega V slammed Olaso's proposal, calling it "medieval."
"My stand is definitely a no to death penalty," he told reporters in a chance interview, as per ABS-CBN News. "It will instill fear, pero it will not ensure na wala pa ring corruption."
In October 2024, Rep. Eddie Villanueva vowed to push for a law implementing the death penalty on government officials proven to have stolen more than P100 million.
At the Senate, Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa filed a bill reinstating the death penalty for high-level drug trafficking. (with reports from Jose Rodel Clapano)