Manny Pacquiao in Philippine Senate: World Boxing Champ Cites Bible's Genesis 9:6, Exodus 21:12 and Romans 13:4 as Basis in Supporting Death Penalty
Death penalty is lawful under government statures and moral according to the Bible. These are the context of a privileged speech delivered in Philippine senate by Manny Pacquiao. The eight-division world boxing champion is a senator now in the Philippines. He is the figurehead in supporting the call of the new president Rodrigo Duterte for reinstatement of capital punishment in the country.
Initial stance on death penalty and the turnaround
To recall, senator Pacquiao initially lambasted the restoration of death penalty when he was then a congressman. Pacquiao presented a different stance immediately after assumption in his new office though. The twist favoring death penalty also zeroed in on drug dealers.
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The Bible as source of enlightenment
Pacquiao said that he reads the Bible regularly and enlightenment about death penalty came from the book of Genesis. The senator said that God is a compassionate God but also a God of justice. Pacquiao particularly refers to Genesis 9:6 that defines human sanctity. The verse further reads that whoever sheds human blood shall also have their blood shed.
Pacquiao strengthened his argument by two other Bible verses. Both Exodus 21:12 and Romans 13:4 have reference to death penalty. He then tipped the famous "vox populi, vox Dei" ethos by saying that a government deciding for death penalty is "approved" by God.
Manny Pacquiao and his religious views
Manny Pacquiao is very popular among the grassroots. His unparalleled accomplishments in the boxing ring catapults him in the Philippine senate. He is also known for religious activities outside the ring. Originally a Roman Catholic, Pacquiao shows his evangelical zeal in recent years as a professed Christian.
Targeting drug dealers
The fighting senator added that the current drug situation in the Philippines is out of hand. He also supports the government in meeting the drug dealers head on. Then he reiterated that these derelicts made money at the expense of the youth so capital punishment is justified.
What triggers the death penalty debate
The trigger for another round of debate about death penalty in the Philippines can be traced from the previous set of lawmakers. Then senators-elect Vicente Sotto III and Panfilo Lacson enumerated terrorism and other heinous crimes as punishable by death. The issue about war against drugs surfaced after the country's president made it into a campaign outcry.
The report from Philippine National Police (PNP) also sets the pace for death penalty's revival call. The PNP cited that there are rape and murder cases happening every hour based on statistics.
