Arroyo likely to veto bill reviving death penalty

MANILA, Philippines - Unless she can be swayed by new arguments, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is likely to veto a bill filed by an administration senator to revive the death penalty, Malacañang hinted Sunday. Deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez Jr. said President Arroyo is standing pat on her stand against the death penalty, which she repealed in 2006. "First of all, nais nating ipaalam sa lahat na yung decision (na) tanggalin ang death penalty ay may kadahilanan. Kung meron mang ibang haka-haka o ibang pagsusuri we will welcome those studies to come up with a better solution," Golez said on government-run dzRB radio. ["We want to make clear that when the president repealed the death penalty, it was for a good reason. Anyone can present a better argument and we will welcome that."] President Arroyo in 2006 repealed the death penalty shortly before going to the Vatican to pay a call on Pope Benedict XVI. The Catholic Church is opposed to capital punishment. Calls for the death penalty mounted in past weeks in the wake of allegations of bribery and influence-peddling for the release of three scions of rich families arrested in an anti-drug operation. Earlier reports said Senate majority leader Juan Miguel Zubiri filed a bill seeking to revive the death penalty. Zubiri is a member of the ruling Lakas party. - GMANews.TV