INTRODUCTION

Plunder has been a serious issue in any government sector throughout the

world especially here in the Philippines. We always see and hear various cases about it

on televisions and radios but some people just ignore it and go on with their lives as if it

doesnt affect them at all. By the Free Dictionary, plunder means to rob of goods by force,

and to seize wrongfully or by force. But how is it committed, what it really is and whats

in it for us?

According to Section 2 of Republic Act 7080, or the Plunder Law, plunder is the

criminal offense of accumulating or acquiring an ill-gotten wealth of at least Php50

million through a series of overt or criminal acts. It can be associated with corruption,

bribery, fraud, monopolization, and misuse of authority. It is punishable by reclusion

perpetua or lifetime imprisonment to death.

Countless law makers claim it to be a heinous crime along with homicide,

murder, sexual assault, manslaughter, abduction, etc. and if proven guilty, the offender

would be penalized by death. AND THAT IS, if they are proven guilty.

But, what if they arent? What if theyre just accused and are actually innocent?

Guilty or not, is death really the answer? Will death suffice as a punishment for such

crime/s?

My friends, classmates, teacher, and opponents. According to Article III Section

1 of the Philippine Constitution, which states that, No person shall be deprived of life,

liberty, or property, without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal
protection of the laws. Also, in Section 12.2 of the same Article, it clearly states that,

No torture, force, violence, threat, intimidation, or any other means which vitiate the

free will shall be used against him. Secret detention places, solitary, incommunicado, or

any other similar forms of detention are prohibited.

There are so many reasons why plunder should not be penalized by death.

These include the following.

1. There is a better alternative: a life without parole

2. Death penalty puts innocent lives at risk.

3. Capital punishment does not deter crime.

4. Death penalty is applied to random.

5. Death penalty will fuel a culture of violence.

By all means, plunder is considered a crime, a wicked deed. But to solve it by

capital punishment like death penalty is just ironic. One could not fight fire with fire nor

can put out fire by gasoline. This type of punishment just fuels to more violence. A crime

which breeds crime.