Sen. Bam to anti-death penalty advocates: Convince pro-death penalty Filipinos to change view

Sen. Bam Aquino challenged anti-death penalty advocates to work hard in persuading 60 percent of pro-death penalty Filipinos that its revival will not solve the country's pressing problems and will only lead to injustice to the poor.

"Challenge po ito sa ating lahat. We have a lot of work to do para makumbinse ang 60 percent ng ating kababayan na mali ang death penalty," said Sen. Bam during the "Lakbay Buhay Laban sa Death Penalty" program at the University of Sto. Tomas.

Sen. Bam was referring to the recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, showing that 60 percent of Filipinos support the government's move to revive the death penalty as deterrent to crime.

However, Sen. Bam contradicted this view, saying in the end, only the poor will suffer from injustice due to lack of capability to defend themselves in court.

With the death penalty yet to hurdle the committee level in the Senate, Sen. Bam said there is enough time for those against it to conduct more marches and activities to educate Filipinos about the truth on the capital punishment.

"Mahaba-haba pa po ito. Kailangan handa tayo hindi lang sa isang martsa kundi sa marami pang martsa. Kailangang handa tayong kausapin ang ating mahal sa buhay at ipaliwanag sa kanila kung bakit tayo naninindigan sa isyung ito," said Sen. Bam.

"Hindi po sapat na kumbinsihin lang natin ang ating mga mambabatas. Kailangan ang taumbayan ang kumbinsihin natin," he added.

The Lakbay Buhay is a 21-day cross-country march led by anti-death penalty advocates to educate communities on why the revival of the death penalty must be stopped. The tour started May 4 in Cagayan de Oro and it will end May 24 at the Senate where they will call on senators to prevent the restoration of death penalty.

Sen. Bam is a staunch advocate against death penalty in the Senate. He has committed to vote against its reimposition, together with other senators.

"Kapag tayo'y sabay-sabay na gumagalaw, sa ilalim ng pagmamahal sa bayan at sa Diyos, tiwala akong makakamit natin ang sapat na numero sa Senado upang hindi maibalik ang death penalty," said Sen. Bam.