Hontiveros: Death Penalty Under a Weak Justice System Will Give Filipinos Another Spectre to Fear

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros publicly opposed moves to reinstate capital punishment in the Philippines.

Speaking before 100 leaders of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) on Friday, Hontiveros said that death penalty combined with extrajudicial killings will create a new wave of fear among Filipinos.

"Extrajudicial killings together with constitutional killing brought about by death penalty will only add to the growing climate of fear and impunity in the country. It will further undermine the people's human rights, particularly the right to life," Hontiveros said.

The neophyte senator explained that the government's plan to reimpose the death penalty contradicts its supposed rehabilitation and reformation programs for convicted drug users and criminals.

“The broad scope of crimes punishable by death, including the mere possession of illegal drugs, is extremely bothering. What is therefore the point of building a mega-drug rehabilitation center in Nueva Ecija if the government wants all the drug dependents killed anyway?

Hontiveros also said that she can't imagine how the death penalty will work under the country's weak justice system which is prone to abuse and corruption.

"According to government data, from 1993 to 2004, 71 % of death penalty convictions have either been modified or revoked. This comes from an automatic review of the Supreme Court. Now imagine if the review procedure was not there? How many innocent loves would have been lost," Hontiveros remarked.

Hontiveros said that one of the best ways to protect the people from crime is to radically reform the country's justice system. "Ang kailagan natin ay mga batas at isang sistema na nagtatanggol at nagpapabuti sa buhay ng tao, hindi pumapatay," Hontiveros said.

"Proper and modern law enforcement, including standing behind the protection of human rights and observance of the rule of law, are the best methods to protect the people from crime and illegal drugs. A fast, fair and working justice system is the more effective deterrent against crime," Hontiveros concluded.

First and Only Outdoor Theater Production House, Globe LIVE, Wins Big at Broadway World Awards PH 2016

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Globe - the #1 mobile brand in the Philippines has always gone the extra mile to cater to the evolving lifestyle of its customers. Wanting to give a richer experience whether online or on-ground, Globe expanded its efforts to give Filipinos access to world-class content and entertainment with the launch of Globe LIVE and its concept of ‘accidental theater’.

Through Globe LIVE and its original live productions, content that used to only be available to few, such as theater, was now easily enjoyed by many. By building a dynamic space like the entertainment zone at Globe ICONIC store, Globe was able to open up a whole new venue for more inclusive events.

The first and only open-air theater concept in the country, Globe LIVE had a banner launch with its first ever full-on Filipino theatrical production in partnership with 9Works Theatrical, Green Day’s American Idiot. Garnering positive reviews and acclamations, Globe LIVE together with 9Works Theatrical set the bar high for theater productions given the new outdoor format. Held in July 2016, Green Day’s American Idiot ran for nine successful shows, making it the first successful outdoor theatrical play in the Philippines.

Further validating its success is its recent major wins at the coveted Broadway World Philippines Awards for 2016. Globe LIVE and 9Works Theatrical’s Green Day’s American Idiot gained recognition in 7 significant categories:

Cusi - Furious at CASURECO III's Poor 34% Household Level Restoration Effort

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Despite having 92% status of restored households in Typhoon Nina affected areas, Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi directed the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and the involved electric cooperatives to complete restoration of power facilities as soon as possible.

The Secretary made the statement today upon learning about the latest report of Camarines Sur III Electric Cooperative’s (CASURECO III) slow movement in its restoration efforts.

“We cannot accept CASURECO III’s restoration status at 34% only following all of the combined efforts of the government and the private sector for restoring damages brought by Typhoon Nina,” Sec. Cusi emphasized.

Sec. Cusi underscored that “We want to determine the root cause of the delay in restoration, thus I wanted NEA through Admin. Ed Masongsong to take over the restoration efforts in CASURECO III covering Camarines Sur's Rinconada area.”

In a recent coordination efforts by the DOE, NEA Administrator Masongsong committed to create Task Force Rinconada to take over the restoration efforts in CASURECO III.

Sec. Cusi relayed that Admin. Masongsong already recalled the Project Manager and informed the Board of CASURECO III of the “NEA takeover" which will be implemented this February.

Other areas that the Secretary wanted to focus on are the hard-hit provinces of Catanduanes and Marinduque under the franchises of First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative (FICELCO) and Marinduque Electric Cooperative (MARELCO), respectively.