Underthe international law principle of pacta sunt servanda, States are required to observe treaties it has entered into in good faith. And in the case of Tanadavs. Angara,‘ the Supreme Court ruled that “treaties do indeed limitorrestrict the sovereigntyof a State. By their voluntary acts, States may surrender some aspects of their power in exchange for greater benefits granted by or derived from a convention or pact. Underthe rule of pacta sunt servanda, a State is bound to make such modifications in its laws as maybe necessary to ensure thefulfillment of the obligations undertaken underthetreaty.” The enactment bythe Philippines of Republic Act No. 9346 prohibiting imposition of the death penalty in the country showed our progressive compliance with our international obligations on humanrights. As such, States cannot go back norrenegeonitsself-imposed and voluntary obligations. The Commission on Human Rights takes this opportunity to remind all stakeholders that the re-imposition of the death penalty is a breach of international obligations by virtue of our bounden commitments with treaties and our adherence internationallaw. international humanrights to the principle of pacta sunt servanda under The Commissionalso affirms that, under the 1987 Philippine Constitution,it is declared Principle of the State to “value the dignity of every human person and guarantee full respect for humanrights.” The Commission further re-issues its earlier advisory5 on the Abolition of Death Penalty dated March 22, 2005. Issued this 21°t day of May, 2008 at QuezonCity, Philippines. (Originally signed) ATTY. LEILA M. DE LIMA Chairperson ‘ 272 SCRA 18 * TumanRights Advisory onthe Abolition of Death Penalty, CHR-A2005-004 54