Section 4(b) on extrajudicial killing does not clearly specify the perpetrator of the extrajudicial killing. In sum, the Commission on HumanRights strongly reiterates and reaffirms its unwavering pro life stand and will continue to vehemently oppose any attempt to reimpose the death penalty in Philippine jurisdiction, founded on theprinciple of non-derogability of the right to life; the death penalty runs counter to the principle on justice that punishment should educate and rehabilitate the offender; it does not produce retributive justice; it is likened to the rule of revenge, and violence begets violence; and the Philippines cannot go back norrenege onits self-imposed and voluntary obligations. Hence, the death penalty should neveragain find its way in the statute booksofthe country. IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING PREMISES, the Commission on Human Rights hereby submits to the Honorable Committee on Human Rights, House of Representatives, and Congress of the Philippines the following recommendations: 1) House Bill No. 566 must not resurrect the death penalty in our country. Instead, should considerreclusion perpetua with the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification to hold public office, cancellation of professionallicenseoreligibility, forfeiture of retirement and otherbenefits due said public officer or employee, as the supreme penalty therefor. 2) International humanrights standards, as well as moral justification and humaneconsideration mustbe given due weight. 3) Take into consideration the Supreme Court guidelines on the matter of extrajudicial killings or summaryexecutions. 4) The proposedlegislation should consider salvaging orextrajudicial killings committed by person or persons in authority or by agents of personin authority, as political killings and should lay downtheessential elements therefor. ISSUEDonthis 11 day of August 2008, in QuezonCity, Philippines. (Originally signed) LEILA M. DE LIMA Chairperson (Originally signed) CECILIA RACHELV. QUISUMBIN' Commissioner (Originally signed) MA. VICTORIA V. CARDONA Commissioner

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