Sun-Star

PHILIPPINES: PAO asks Glo to defer death execution

Justice officials are at loggerheads over the impending re-imposition of the death penalty.

This, after the head of the Public Attorney's Office (PAO), which represents most indigent litigants, including death row inmates, urged President Arroyo to defer the execution.

Chief Public Defender Persida Rueda-Acosta said she asked for a deferment as they foresee newly discovered evidence in favor of the accused in the cases.

Despite this, Acting Justice Sec. Ma. Mereditas Gutierrez said on Wednesday the Bureau of Corrections (BOC) is preparing for the executions set this month.

Justice Usec. Jose C. Calida said the executions can no longer be deferred considering that the Supreme Court (SC) already did an automatic review of the cases.

Among those in line for execution by lethal injection are Ramon Niodemus, Saturani Panggagyay, Roger Pagsigian, Elmer Butal, Christopher Padua, Ronald Bragas and Larino Perpenan.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Corrections (BOC) has started preparations for the lethal injection chamber, which has not been in use for the last 4 years.

The chamber was only used 7 times since it was constructed in 1997.

It was first used in February 1999, when Leo Echegaray, convicted of raping his own daughter, was executed. After 6 more executions the chamber was no longer in use. The last time it was used was on January 6, 2000.

The BOC is now preparing the chamber for its use on January 30. The medicines and the hotline for the President are already in place.

There are 2 death convicts scheduled for execution at 3 p.m. on January 30. Both convicts were involved in kidnapping.

President Arroyo is lifting the death moratorium. She wanted to prioritize those convicted for kidnapping.

Alfredo Benitez, acting BOC chief, said even at the last moment there is a possibility that the President will give these convicts reprieve.

The death moratorium was lifted upon the prodding of the Chinese-Filipino community following the resumption of kidnap-for-ransom operations in Metro Manila.

The Manila Times

President won�t stay executions

President Arroyo will not stay the execution of two convicts on January 30, Malaca�ang said Wednesday.

The President�s spokesman, Ignacio Bunye, said Mrs. Arroyo is firm in carrying out the death penalty against convicted kidnappers and drug lords.

"The issue on the matter of guilt of the convicts has been passed upon by the Supreme Court in the regular process of reviewing the case. So far, there is no mention in another direction as far as what will take place at the end of the month," Bunye said.

It is expected that the Public Attorney�s Office will seek leniency for the death convicts, he said.

"That is the job of the PAO to review thoroughly the cases of the convicts it has handled before, so its action is expected. But again there has been no indication that the President�s stand has changed on what will happen at the end of the month," Bunye said.

In December President Arroyo lifted the moratorium on the death penalty on criminals convicted of kidnapping for ransom and drug-related cases amid the uproar from Chinese Filipino groups and the business community over the resurgence of kidnappings.

Scheduled to be executed through lethal injection are Roberto Lara and Roderick Licayan. The 2 were sentenced to death by Judge Reuben de la Cruz of Marikina Regional Trial Court Branch 272 on September 9, 1999.

The Supreme Court affirmed the death penalty on August 15, 2001.

Records of the 2 have been sent to Malaca�ang to be studied for a possible reprieve.