A new bill in the Philippines has sparked widespread debate as it proposes the death penalty for officials convicted of corruption.
Khymer Rep. Adan Olaso has filed in the House of Representatives Bill No. 11211, called the “Death Penalty for Corruption Act,” which seeks to impose the death penalty by firing squad on public officials found guilty of serious corruption offenses.
The measure would apply to all officials, from the country’s President to representatives at the local level, as well as to members of the armed forces and police.
The draft law provides for punishments for persons convicted of corruption, misuse of public funds and embezzlement of state property. However, execution could only be carried out after the decision has been confirmed by the Supreme Court and all legal appeals have been exhausted.
According to the initiator of the initiative, current measures have not been sufficient to curb corruption, while this proposal aims to strengthen accountability and citizens’ trust in public institutions.
The draft law is still in the parliamentary review phase and has not been approved as law.