EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
S.B. NO
SENATE
1234
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DEC 12 
PI2:32
RECc . Di
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
REIMPOSING DEATH PENALTY ON CERTAIN HEINOUS CRIMES UNDER 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7659, PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL 
QUALIFICATIONS, AMENDING FOR THAT PURPOSE THE REVISED PENAL 
CODE, AS AMENDED, OTHER SPECIAL LAWS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 5 of the 1987 Constitution states that the State shall ensure 
the maintenance of peace and order, protection of life, liberty, and property, and the 
promotion of general welfare for the enjoyment by the people. Article III, Section 19 
of the same Constitution provides that, "excessive punishment shall not be imposed, 
nor cruel, degrading or inhuman punishment inflicted. Neither shall death penalty be 
imposed, unless for compelling reasons involving heinous crime.” Thus, Congress may, 
by law, impose capital punishment to offenders.
The Covenant on Civil and Political Rights also recognize that capital 
punishment is an allowable limitation on the right to life which is subjected to the 
limitation that it be imposed for the "m ost serious aimes."
As such, drug-related crimes impose an immense burden on society. In the 
Philippines, the Dangerous Drugs Board reported that more than 4.74 million persons 
in the country, or 6.1 percent of the population aged 10-69, have used illegal drugs 
at least once in their lifetime. According to the Philippine National Police, from July


2016 to January 2018, the total number or drug-related incidents has reached 2,235, 
about 21,908 cases referred to (42,182) cases filed in court.
The consistent rise of drug-induced crimes in the country pose that the 
imposition of reclusion perpetua and life imprisonment, in lieu of death penalty, may 
not be a notable deterrent to the commission of such crimes. John Stuart Mill, a former 
member of the British Parliament, defended the retention of death penalty if confined 
to atrocious cases stating that, to deter by suffering from inflicting suffering is not only 
possible, but the very purpose of penal justice.
Thus, this measure proposes to reimpose death penalty on certain heinous 
crimes under Republic Act No. 7659 while the offender is under the influence of 
dangerous drugs and having attended with certain circumstances, as provided, so as 
to ensure the maintenance of peace and order which is paramount for the enjoyment 
of every people of the blessings of democracy.
Given the abovementioned, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.
M E rR . MARCOS


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 
1 2 3 4
cf iljf j5». rr'f.np
’19 
DEC 12 
P12 3 2
RECi. i; r
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
REIMPOSING DEATH PENALTY ON CERTAIN HEINOUS CRIMES UNDER 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7659, PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL 
QUALIFICATIONS, AMENDING FOR THAT PURPOSE THE REVISED PENAL 
CODE, AS AMENDED, OTHER SPECIAL LAWS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Tide. -  This Act shall be known as the, "Reimposition o f Death
2 
Penalty Act o f 2019."
3 
Section 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  The maintenance of peace and order is
4 
paramount for the enjoyment of every people of the blessings of democracy. Towards
5 
this end, the state shall endeavor to strengthen its laws and impose capital punishment
6 
on certain crimes that are classified as heinous.
7 
Section 3. Death Penalty fo r the crimes o f Treason, Qualified Bribery, Plunder
8 
and fo r offenses under the Dangerous Drugs Act -  The death penalty and other
9 
penalties provided by Republic Act No. 7659 for the crimes of Treason, Qualified
10 
Bribery, Plunder, and for the offenses under Sections 4, 5, 6, 8,11, and 16 of Republic
11 
Act No. 9165 otherwise known as the "Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002"
12 
are hereby reimposed.
13 
Section 4. Death Penalty for the crimes o f Piracy in General and Mutiny on the
14 
High Seas or in Philippine Waters, Qualified Piracy, Parricide, Infanticide, Kidnapping
15 
and Serious Illegal Detention, Robbery with Violence against o r Intimidation o f
16 
Persons, and Destructive Arson. -  The death penalty and other penalties provided by
17 
Republic Act No. 7659 for the crimes of Piracy in General and Mutiny on the High Seas
18 
or in Philippine Waters, Qualified Piracy, Parricide, Infanticide, Kidnapping and Serious


1 
Illegal Detention, Robbery with Violence against or Intimidation of Persons, and
2 
Destructive Arson are hereby reimposed provided that the said crimes were committed
3 
while the offender or any of the offenders is under the influence of dangerous.
4 
Provided further the said crimes are attended by any of the following circumstances;
5 
i. 
Moral Depravity, Extreme Brutality, Torture;
6 
ii. 
Publication of the Crime, or Glorification of Criminals;
7 
iii. 
Public Outrage, Terrorism, Social Trauma Causing Widespread Fear
8 
and Anxiety, or Criminal Action Involving Multiple Victims; or
9 
iv. 
Utilization of Nuclear, Biological, or Chemical Weapons.
10 
Section 5. Death Penalty for the crimes o f Murder, Robbery with Violence
11 
Against o r Intimidation o f Persons, and Rape - The death penalty and other penalties
12 
provided by Republic Act No. 7659 for the crimes of Murder, Robbery with Violence
13 
Against or Intimidation o f Persons, and Rape are hereby reImposed provided that the
14 
said crimes were committed while the offender or any of the offenders is under the
15 
influence of dangerous drugs. Provided further the said crimes are attended by any of
16 
the following circumstances:
17 
i. 
Publication of the Crime, or Glorification of Criminals;
18 
ii. 
Public Outrage, Terrorism, Social Trauma Causing Widespread Fear and
19 
Anxiety, or Criminal Action Involving Multiple Victims; or
20 
iii. 
Utilization of Nuclear, Biological, or Chemical Weapons.
21 
Section 4. 
Lethal Injection. -  The death penalty shall be implemented in
22 
accordance with Republic Act No. 8177 otherwise known as the, "Act Designating
23 
Death by Lethal Injection."
24 
Section 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  Within sixty (60) days after
25 
the effectivity of this Act, the DOJ and the PDEA shall promulgate such rules and
26 
regulations necessary to implement this Act.
27 
Section 6. 
Separability Clause. -  If any provision of this Act is held
28 
unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid and binding.
29 
Section 7. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, decrees, ordinances and rules
30 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby modified or repealed
31 
accordingly.


1 
Section 8. Effectivity Clause. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
2 
the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national
3 
newspapers of general circulation.
4 
Approved,