R.A. 7659

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7659

AN ACT TO IMPOSE THE DEATH PENALTY ON CERTAIN HEINOUS CRIMES, AMENDING FOR THAT PURPOSE THE REVISED PENAL LAWS, AS AMENDED, OTHER SPECIAL PENAL LAWS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

WHEREAS, the Constitution, specifically Article III, Section 19 paragraph (1) thereof, states "Excessive fines shall not be imposed nor cruel, degrading or inhuman punishment inflicted. Neither shall death penalty be imposed, unless, for compelling reasons involving heinous crimes, the Congress hereafter provides for it. . .";

WHEREAS, the crimes punishable by death under this Act are heinous for being grievous, odious and hateful offenses and which, by reason of their inherent or manifest wickedness, viciousness, atrocity and perversity are repugnant and outrageous to the common standards and norms of decency and morality in a just, civilized and ordered society;

WHEREAS, due to the alarming upsurge of such crimes which has resulted not only in the loss of human lives and wanton destruction of property but also affected the nation's efforts towards sustainable economic development and prosperity while at the same time has undermined the people's faith in the Government and the latter's ability to maintain peace and order in the country;

WHEREAS, the Congress, in the justice, public order and the rule of law, and the need to rationalize and harmonize the penal sanctions for heinous crimes, finds compelling reasons to impose the death penalty for said crimes;

Now, therefore,

Section 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to foster and ensure not only obedience to its authority, but also to adopt such measures as would effectively promote the maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty and property, and the promotion of the general welfare which are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy in a just and humane society;

Section 2. Article 114 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 3. Section Three, Chapter One, Title One of Book Two of the same Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 4. There shall be incorporated after Article 211 of the same Code a new article to read as follows:

Section 5. The penalty of death for parricide under Article 246 of the same Code is hereby restored, so that it shall read as follows:

Section 6. Article 248 of the same Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 7. Article 255 of the same Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 8. Article 267 of the same Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 9. Article 294 of the same Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 10. Article 320 of the same Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 11. Article 335 of the same Code is hereby amended to read as follows: