Thus, the death penalty is being made a substitute for effective law enforcementandthe delivery ofjustice. The properresponseto thefailure of our justice system is political will to effectively apprehend, prosecute and rehabilitate criminals. To mete out to criminals the very final, irrevocable and inhuman verdict of death is tantamountto punishing them for thefailure of the system. This Commission recognizes that in some exceptional cases, Philippine Law and the InternationalBill of Rights prescribe the need for the death penalty. However, there is an unmistakable trend towards the abolition of capital punishment.In Article 6, Paragraph No.2, the International Declaration of Civil and Political Rights cautions, “In countries that have not abolished the death penalty, sentence of death may be imposed only for the most serious crimes...” Ultimately, in the same Article under Paragraph No. 6, the Declaration states that, “Nothing in this Article shall be invoked to delay or prevent the abolition of capital punishment by any State Party to the present Covenant.” Wetherefore caution against the hasty restoration of the death penalty, especially at this time when calm and objective debate on the matter seems impossible. The best course of action at this time would beto seize this moment of heightenedpublic interest to push for reformsfor the effective enforcement of our laws, the impartial and speedy delivery of justice, and the utmost respectforlife inside and outside ourcourts. Donethis 8th day of August 1991 in the Municipality of Pasig, Metro Manila. (ON OFFICIAL MISSION ABROAD) MARY CONCEPCION BAUTISTA Chairman (originally signed) (originally signed) SAMUEL M. SORIANO HESIQUIO R. MALILLIN (with reservation) NARCISO C. MONTEIRO (originally signed) PAULYNN PAREDES SICAM Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner