The Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas (Council of the Laity of the Philippines, or Laiko), a public association of the faithful erected by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Tuesday urged lawmakers to remove the "blinders" that prevent them from seeing that death penalty as an offense against the inviolability of life and the dignity.
The group reiterated this in a statement amid the renewed push to revive death penalty in the country.
Laiko argued the death penalty will "single out for punishment the most vulnerable sectors of society who have no means to defend themselves."
"Moreover, as a country, our failure to honor our commitment, with the International Community, not to bring back death penalty, will not only put us in a bad light but lose their respect as well," they added.
Instead of the death penalty, Laiko asked lawmakers to focus their their attention in combatting the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The group said lawmakers should also give attention to the speedy enactment of laws that will reform the country's judicial and correctional systems, ensure the safety of their constituents, and end the flagrant reality of graft and corruption.
LAIKO in parting issued this appeal:"We Must Stand for Life! Let us Choose Life!"
Last week, the House Committee on Justice opened the deliberations on the numerous bills aiming to revive capital punishment.