“So far, many senators support the idea of reimposing death penalty for high-level drug traffickers,” Sotto said. Sotto earlier said the death penalty bill may pass by a narrow margin of 13 to 14 votes, a simple majority in the 24-member chamber. Risa Hontiveros, Francis Pangilinan and Leila de Lima – have vowed to block the reimposition of the death penalty. Villanueva said the imposition of the death penalty should not be “emotionally driven.”“The imposition of the death penalty should be wisdom driven because the government will apply these important policies that impact the lives of the public,” he said. House Minority Leader Bienvenido Abante of Manila said he is supporting Duterte in reviving the death penalty.

Source: Philippine Star July 24, 2019 16:07 UTC