New members of the House of Representatives are being cautioned on voting against and asking questions on the proposed death penalty bill, a lawmaker said on Tuesday. The proposed death penalty law covers heinous crimes and including drug-related offenses and deems the possession of 10 grams of illegal drugs as drug trafficking that is punishable by death. Why does it have to be this way?” Villarin, who is against the death penalty, said. Rep. Edcel Lagman of Albay renewed his call on the House leadership to allow aconscience vote, instead of a party vote, on the death penalty bill. “The burden of proving otherwise is on those proposing the death penalty.

Source: Manila Times January 24, 2017 10:26 UTC