"I will give a topic, and you only have to defend your side whether it agrees or disagree." Introduction by the professor. "Are we clear?" The professor asked again authoritatively. We couldn't do anything but nod.
It surprised me because nothing changed in their expression, are they expecting this?
"Can we approve the death penalty in our country?" As expected, what will be recited today is not related to architecture. "Agree or disagree? Then why." He said.
"Yes, Ms. Nayeli." He called one of my block mates.
"I think that we shouldn't, death isn't a proper punishment anyway and there have been millions of reports that innocent people who haven't been proven as criminals yet were punished using the death penalty which is unfair." Introduction of the lady, if you look at her, you will not see any doubt in her words.
"They should just approve other much suitable punishments instead because punishing a person by killing them wouldn't make you less than a person that they are even if the law approved of it." She added.
"Do you agree with what she said?" Someone else nodded and disagreed and I was one of them. I mean I agree because he doesn't want the death penalty to be implemented but I have a different reason.
"Anyone? Who could be a representative?" Our professor asked. The person next to me immediately raised her hand, none other than Saphira.
"Go ahead Ms. Delutch." He is referring to my friend.
"I agree with the topic about the death penalty. As you can see, our country is prone to crimes, especially rape, and murder. Laws providing these kinds of insolence are already tolerable, meaning to say, it's not regulated according to the crime." Saphira stated, I smirked. No doubt she is my friend.
"Life is so precious, to begin with, so crimes like this should also be punishable according to their crimes. If they killed someone, the life of the suspect should also be on the line. Of course, it is not applicable without proper hearing and if the suspect proves that he/she is guilty of the crime, the death penalty is applicable." She added.
"This kind of punishment is powerful but it isn't used the right way people who deserved this punishment weren't punished how they should have been and those who didn't deserve this punishment, were used against them instead. This kind of punishment shouldn't be allowed in this country if it's used this way, other punishments have been more effective to scare the citizens more than this kind of punishment." Ms. Nayeli suddenly interrupted. It will be a debate. Not recitation.
"As you have mentioned Ms. Delutch that our country is prone to crimes indeed, especially in crime and murder meaning that this kind of punishment has no proper effect on our people at all which is why they shouldn't approve of this punishment and just use the many solutions that are around us." In addition, the professor seems to be interested because of what he sees.
"You said that this punishment 'has no proper effect on our people' yet those people want this law to be approved because the justice system that includes our law isn't effective for those victims of heinous crimes. What do you suggest when those criminals already broke the law and you want them to be punishable by another law which is eventually lower to their crimes? Try to put your shoes on the victim's situation when the hearing ended and the punishment of the suspect isn't enough to make the victim feel the justice that they deserve?" Saphira points out.
"It is not bearable that they will carry it for the rest of their lives. Knowing that the punishment isn't equally given to them. Those criminals who committed crimes should know their lesson, the law. punishments? bailout? and any other options which have already been passed but never been learned by those people who didn't obey the law? Imagine if the death penalty is already approved in our country, do you think those criminals can longer be able to hurt other people again? This isn't about the morals or culture that we have. We are also talking about those victims who should be enjoying their lives but it was taken away from them because they didn't get the justice that they deserve. We shouldn't be in favor of the criminals, we should be the people's voice for justice." He added. My friend will not be defeated.
"Those victims that should have been protected were failed to be protected and the people around them will be victims as well because no proper punishment was used against the criminal including the death penalty. As I have said that kind of punishment is used the wrong way instead of punishing those criminals who did the wrongdoings they were excused from jail or court. While those criminals who weren't even proven guilty again were punished that way, what is the proper meaning of this punishment if it's used the wrong way again? The only meaning left is that those victims weren't served justice as well since that powerful punishment isn't used the proper way. For those criminals who made victims, there is a lot of proper punishment for them, imprisoning them for years until they die on their own and making them work under us." Nayeli answered again.
"Killing a murderer would just make you somebody closer to them." She added. It looks like she half meant what she said.
"Let's take a look at what the previous president of the Republic of the Philippines, Mr. Rodrigo Roa Duterte said about the law and death penalty.
'We have a society now where obedience to the law is a choice, an option only,' What do you imply by this quote? It is always non-stop evidence that our country isn't taking the law more seriously than it should be. I addressed his statement because this issue surprised the public interest of every Filipino during his administration, and you suggested that they should be imprisoned for many years or maybe work for us. Giving them another opportunity at life when they already took the lives of the victims. A second chance isn't always an option when their life is already taken away from them. 'Killing the murderer would just make you somebody to them' you say, but I beg to disagree with this because once this death penalty is already approved by the constitution, you are already abiding by the law that is well-written to punish the criminals who deserve to be punished similarly to the crimes they committed." Saphira answered confidently.
"If the death penalty isn't good for us, then why are the people are voicing it out to be a law again? Think of it, the topic wouldn't burst out if no one seeks it. That's how our world is revolving nowadays, this means that people saw how irresponsible our law is that even the most wanted criminal in the country can buy the law and roam around the country as if nothing happened. Death penalty isn't cruel at all, why? it is also proved that the country is not a puppet of those higher-ups who illegally bailed out suspects who committed heinous crimes. This is also applicable to homicide cases, murder cases, and also rap3 cases. Lives have been taken because of these crimes, and you want the victim to see those suspects rot only in jail and maybe serve us? What good impression it will make on the public? It will only show how awful our judgment is and how cruel the law is giving chances to the suspects but not giving the justice the victims should have." She added.
The professor gestured causing him to grab everyone's attention. "You may take your seats Ms. Nayeli and Ms. Delutch." Which was immediately followed by the two.
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