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He said death penalty was imposed during the Estrada administration but failed to curb the occurrence of heinous crimes.
The congressman cited the execution of Leo Echegaray, who was convicted for raping his own daughter.
Echegaray was executed on February 5, 1999, five years after the death penalty was revived as a deterrent to heinous crimes.
But the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) reported some 163 heinous crimes after Echegaray’s execution.
Piñol said those involved in illegal drugs and heinous crimes should be given second chance to renew their lives and atone for their wrongdoings in jail instead of imposing death penalty.
He said the authority over life and death rests solely in God. (MindaNews)