Pubdate: Mon, 28 Feb 2005
Source: Philippine Star (Philippines)
Copyright: PhilSTAR Daily Inc. 2005
Contact:  http://www.philstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/622
Author: Marvin Sy
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

'FOR PRISONERS, IT'S A FATE WORSE THAN DEATH'

Malacanang dismissed criticisms of its supposed leniency towards
persons convicted of heinous crimes by saying that being locked up in
one of the country's jails is already a fate worse than death.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said that convicted criminals
languishing inside the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City live
under the harshest circumstances.

He pointed out that the meal budget for each prisoner is a measly P30
a day.

"Thirty pesos a day per head for three meals. We can see that the
condition inside the prison is enough punishment for those who are
currently imprisoned," Bunye said in an interview over dzBB.

Apart from having a small budget for meals, the country's prisons and
jails are overcrowded and generally unsanitary.

Bunye was reacting to criticisms hurled against President Arroyo by
some anti-crime groups for refusing to lift the moratorium on the
implementation of the death penalty as the rate of kidnapping
incidents is reportedly again on the rise.

The moratorium has been in place since Mrs. Arroyo assumed office in
January 2001.

Much of the criticism was revived when she granted a 90-day reprieve
for 14 death row convicts who were reportedly scheduled for lethal
injection this May.

It was revealed that none of the 14 were convicted of kidnapping or
illegal drugs charges, but mostly for rape cases.

The anti-crime groups also reacted to the recent abduction of
Chinese-Filipino boy Kenchi Yu by a group led by former Quezon City
congressman Dennis Roldan.

Yu was subsequently rescued and Roldan and his cohorts were
arrested.

Bunye reiterated that the President's stand on capital punishment
remains as she supports imposing the death penalty on kidnappers and
drug pushers.

But, he said, the President believes that her moratorium will
hold.

Bunye explained that when the situation calls for the implementation
of the death penalty such as a rise in kidnapping or illegal drugs
cases, then Mrs. Arroyo might change her mind and make an example of a
convict.

On the case of the 14 death row convicts who were granted a reprieve,
Bunye stressed that it is entirely the prerogative of the President to
do this as provided for under the law.

He said that the power of the President on this matter is absolute and
not even the Supreme Court can question it.

Bunye, however, noted that Mrs. Arroyo was given specific
recommendations by the Department of Justice prior to her grant of
reprieve. 
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