Zamboanga City Rep. Khymer Adan Olaso sought the imposition of the death penalty by firing squad for government officials convicted of “corruption and other grave cases” through House Bill 11211 or the proposed Death Penalty for Corruption Act.
“Despite the existence of numerous laws aimed at combating graft, malversation, and plunder, the persistence of these crimes suggests that current measures are insufficient to deter public officials from engaging in corrupt practices,” Olaso, vice chair of the House Committee on People’s Participation, said in the bill’s explanatory note.
“This proposed bill seeks to impose the ultimate penalty of death by firing squad on public officials — from the President to the lowest barangay official — convicted by the Sandiganbayan of graft and corruption, malversation of public funds, and plunder. The bill emphasizes accountability and deterrence, making it clear that public office is a public trust, and any violation of that trust must be met with the severest consequences,” he added.
The lawmaker identified graft and corruption as defined under Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act; malversation of public funds as defined under the Revised Penal Code; and plunder as defined under Republic Act 7080 or the Anti-Plunder Act as cases that will be punished with death by firing squad.
The bill covers all public officials, elected or appointed, including officials in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, those serving in constitutional commissions, government-owned and controlled corporations, and other instrumentalities, members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Olaso emphasized, however, in his bill that no public official or any member of the military or police will be executed by firing squad unless their conviction has been affirmed by the Supreme Court; the conviction underwent mandatory automatic review process as required by the Constitution and other applicable laws; and the accused has exhausted legal remedies available under Philippine law, including appeals and motions for reconsideration.
“These safeguards aim to uphold the fundamental rights of the accused while ensuring that the imposition of the death penalty is applied only in cases where guilt is conclusively established,” Olaso said.
