Malacañang said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has not discussed the possible reimposition of the death penalty, despite growing calls to address corruption and criminality in the country.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, October 22, Presidential Press Office Undersecretary Claire Castro emphasized that the matter must be thoroughly studied before any action is taken, stressing that the punishment cannot be decided in a hurry.

“Sa ngayon wala pa pong nababanggit ang Pangulo, pero siyempre sa pag-aaral po kung ito po ay ipapataw muli at mawawala ang suspension or lifting ng death penalty, dapat pong aralin ito,” Castro said.

She noted that before the government can even consider reinstating the death penalty, there must first be a clean and reliable justice system, referring to the five pillars of justice — law enforcement, prosecution, judiciary, correction, and the community.

“Hindi po tayo pwede na umasa at maimpluwensyahan. Dapat mawala sa impluwensya ng mga nakaraang pangyayari kung saan may nag-admit na sila ay sanay gumawa ng intriga at magplanta ng ebidensya. Paano kung ang inosente ay naplantahan ng ebidensya?” she explained.

Castro added that wrongful convictions remain a serious concern.

“Death penalty ang maaaring ipataw. Kawawa naman po yung masasabi nating inosente,” she said.

She concluded that any move to restore the death penalty should undergo a deep and comprehensive evaluation to ensure fairness and justice.