By Merlina Hernando-Malipot

Vice President Leni Robredo on Friday reiterated her opposition on the reinstatement of death penalty in the country noting that this is not the “solution” to stop people from committing crimes.

In her visit to Siayan in Zamboanga del Norte, Robredo said that instead of pushing for the reimposition of the capital punishment, the government should focus its efforts on strengthening the country’s justice system. During his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22, President Rodrigo Duterte urged the lawmakers to reinstate the death penalty particularly for heinous crimes, illegal drugs, and plunder.

“Isa yan sa ikinakalungkot natin kasi for the longest time, kontra talaga tayo dito [death penalty],” Robredo said. “May death penalty na tayo noon at yung datos nagpapakita na hindi talaga siya naging deterrent sa pag-commit ng crime,” she added.

Instead of reinstating death penalty, Robredo urged the government to ensure that the justice system is fair and efficient.

“Ang pinakamahalaga sana ay maayos yung justice system, na naiinplement ng maayos yung mga batas, yung mga penalties na ibinibigay ng batas, at sana totoong na nai-impose sa mga nagkasala,” she explained.

“Yung paniniwala natin, hindi paghahatol ng kamatayan yung magiging solusyon para hindi na mag-commit ng kasalanan,” she added.

Robredo led the turnover of kitchen equipment, power tools and dormitory of students of Siayan National Highschool (SNHS) in Brgy. Poblacion, Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte. She also dropped by the cooking hub to see the area where students will be using the donated kitchen equipment and shall lead the ribbon cutting ceremony for the turnover of “Balay Pasilungan ni Vice President Leni for Girls.”

Together with Mayor Josecor Gepolongca, SNHS School Prinicipal Dexter Ross Fabricante, Anton Mari Lim of Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation (YBH) and team, Robredo toured the dormitory and interacted with dormers.

Robredo said the OVP has been partnering with YBH for various projects. “Dito sa Siayan, second dorm na ito…yung una sa boys, ito naman sa girls,” she explained. In February of this year, the OVP – in partnership with YBH – turned over the “Balay Pasilungan ni VP Leni for Boys” in SNHS that accommodated 30 male dormers since school year 2018-2019.

The YBH donated a computer set for the dorm while Bosch provided carpentry power tools for the grades 11 and 12 technical vocational students of SNHS. Another partner, the BEAGIVER, also provided bags with school supplies to the male dormers.

As of last June, the second dormitory or the ‘Balay Pasilungan ni VP Leni for Girls’ has already been occupied by 26 selected female students of SNHS who live in far flung areas in the municipality. Robredo shared that some learners have to travel at least three hours in a day from their houses to the school. “Grabe ang epekto nito sa dropout rate lalo na sa high school,” she explained. “Ito malaking bagay sa kanila,” she added.

Aside from the dormitory, the YBH – through Angat Buhay – also donated weaving looms to the Yakan weaving community in Brgy. Recodo, Zamboanga City.

The BEAGIVER, on the other hand, also provided scholarships and donated school bags with school supplies to the female and male dormers while the kitchen equipment sets from Ramesh Trading Corporation and power tools from BOSCH Philippines donated were informally turned over.

Robredo thanked the donors as well as the LGU for being “cooperative” – noting that the success of the initiative would not be possible without their help.