Akbayan Party-list Rep. Tom Villarin leads the ceremonial signing of the 1 million signature campaign against death penalty in Cebu.
CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO
ACTIVIST groups in Cebu on Friday launched a signature drive to protest the administration’s plan to bring back the death penalty and to lower the criminal age of liability from 15 years old to nine.
The activity was part of the nationwide campaign to gather at least a million signatures to convince lawmakers to vote against the two controversial bills.
“We want to show Congress that many are against plans to reimpose the death penalty and the lowering of the age of criminal liability. The duty of the state is to protect the lives of its citizens, not to kill its citizens. And if they want to discipline erring minors, they better do it the right way,” said Rep.
Tom Villarin of the Akbayan Party-list, who graced the launch at the Handuraw Pizza at White Gold House in Cebu City.
He said they have until May 2016 to reach their target.