Malacañang is treading carefully on calls to restore the death penalty, warning that without a credible justice system, the country risks punishing the innocent instead of the guilty.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said on Wednesday, October 22, that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has not taken a position on proposals to reimpose capital punishment, emphasizing that the measure must undergo thorough evaluation.
She noted that the issue “cannot be rushed,” saying that reinstating the death penalty requires careful study to ensure it aligns with the country’s justice framework and moral standards. Castro stressed the need to first “clean and strengthen” the five pillars of justice—law enforcement, prosecution, judiciary, corrections, and community participation—before reviving any form of capital punishment.
“The risk of false accusations and planted evidence remains,” she said, cautioning that innocent individuals could face irreversible consequences if systemic flaws persist.
Renewed calls to impose the death penalty, particularly for plunder and large-scale corruption, have gained traction following reports of alleged irregularities in flood control projects under investigation by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, a body established by Marcos to probe anomalies in public works.
While proponents argue that the death penalty could deter corruption, the Palace maintained that the focus should be on restoring accountability and integrity in governance rather than resorting to the most severe punishment.
For now, Malacañang said the administration’s priority remains institutional reform, not retribution.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a blog on Medium.