By Elena L. Aben “We commit to stopping the death penalty in the Senate.” So said Liberal Party president Senator Francis Pangilinan after the House of Representatives (HoR) on Tuesday approved on third and final reading the controversial death penalty bill. Sen. Kiko Pangilinan (via kikopangilinan.com | Manila Bulletin) “We are saddened that the minority in the House was not given the chance to debate the bill in full. Without the benefit of a full debate, we are now in the dark as to the compelling reasons that merit a constitutional return of the death penalty,” said Pangilinan. “It is unfortunate that most of the people’s representatives voted for a bill that is proven worldwide to not work in reducing crime, and that overwhelmingly victimizes the poor and powerless,” he added. “We maintain that death penalty is cruel, degrading, and inhuman,” he continued. The LP earlier said “that the vote of the House of Representatives (HoR) on third and final reading . .. on House Bill 4727 or the bill seeking death penalty for drug-related crimes, will be a mere formality.” “However, it is still worth watching since the nominal voting or the roll call vote will now reveal the names and faces of the lawmakers who will vote for and against the bill,” it added. The LP reiterated it is opposed to the death penalty because it is ineffective, it further victimizes the poor, it violates international law, and our criminal justice system is flawed. “The solution to crime is ensuring certainty of punishment by a systematic, inter-branch push to reform our justice system,” it said.