Senator Manny Pacquiao, who is for the death penalty which is promoted by President Duterte, was questioned by netizens because of the irony of beliefs he is trying to impose.
Pacquiao, a devoted Christian, believes that the Death Penalty is not illegal and is permitted in the Bible.
“Ang pag-reinstate ng death penalty sa bansa natin, hindi po illegal, hindi po against sa mata ng gobyerno, sa mata ng Panginoon,” the Senator said.
[Reinstating death penalty in the country is not illegal, it is not against the eyes of the government and God]
“Biblically po allowed ang gobyerno, which is established by God, to impose death penalty for heinous crimes,” he added.
[Biblically, the government, which is established by God is allowed to impose the death penalty for heinous crimes]
This statement from Pacquiao gained flak from netizens and some personalities.
Filmmaker Antonette Jadaone and young actress Maris Racal believe that it is not the right time to discuss the death penalty as we need to prioritize the pandemic.
Paano nga namatay si Hesus?
Also – Sa gitna talaga ng pandemya, ito talaga??? Sa Pilipinas lang talaga hindi priority ang pandemya!!! https://t.co/n4sEPhufnR
— Toñet (@tonetjadaone) July 30, 2020
https://twitter.com/MissMarisRacal/status/1288646317456187392
Journalist Kevin Manalo stated that the death penalty is against the Ten Commandments.
“The 5th Commandment: Thou shalt not kill.”
“Man isn’t and can never be God, dear sir,” Manalo said.
Reading the bible alone- this is the risk of doing self interpretation.#failedbibleinterpretation https://t.co/urMNcNZFGM
— ☆Johnny☆ (@rieleeee7733) July 30, 2020
“The devil can cite scripture for its purposes. It is very dangerous to quote the Bible and apply it literally as Pacquiao is doing.”
-Miriam Defensor Santiago, 2011 https://t.co/ISnxACzmvT
— Ryan (@rryyyaaaannnn) July 30, 2020
https://twitter.com/glennrussel_/status/1288635432205291520?s=20
Article II Section 6 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states: The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable. Boxer turned Senator and Pastor Manny Pacquaio however often uses biblical beliefs in addressing his political views.
To recall, in 2012, Pacquiao, the Sarangani Representative that time, voted against the House bill no. 4244 of the Reproductive Health bill because of his religious beliefs.
“Hindi naman ako pwede mag pro-RH dahil madasalin akong tao. May takot ako sa Panginoon. Ang boss ko kasi ang Panginoon. Ayokong labagin ang kautusan ng Panginoon,” said Pacquiao.
[I cannot vote for RH bill because I’m prayerful. I’m God-fearing, my boss is God. I don’t want to violate the commandments of God]
Moreover, Pacquiao is also an ally of Duterte and fully supports the latter’s plans and programs. During the issue of extrajudicial killings due to war on drugs, Pacquaio defended Duterte against criticisms.
With these inconsistencies, is Pacquiao pro-life or pro-death?
