At this moment, the CAMARA representatives are discussing the merits of death penalty. It is true that the country needs an iron fist to rule it. We, as Filipinos, have been so lax in following the law that we take for granted how we affect the Filipino society as a whole. We have been so self-centered and myopic that we only think of our own self-interests. It is true not just for the common Filipino people but for our supposed public servants as well.

The aim of the death penalty bill is to get rid of the enemies of the state – the violators of the law and the constitution. In a time when justice can be bought, we put our country at risk of a purge scenario. Allowing the death penalty bill to be passed will foster a culture of death, darkness and terror to our society. Pro-death penalty bill advocates argue that the judicial system needs fangs. That is because our judges and jail wardens are so easily bought. The supposed maximum security cells are like condo units as to how they are so comfortable and not the corrective and rehabilitative facilities that we envision them to be. Even contraband items can enter our jails so easily. Reclusion perpetua is not so threatening a punishment anymore. The truth is that so many souls are now in grave peril. So many people have compromised their principles and souls in pursuit of blood money, a lavish lifestyle and instant gratification. We are slowly degenerating into the times of the Old Testament – “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”. We are at risk of developing God-complex. So many genocides have been committed in the name of God. Countless wars have been waged in His name and we try to justify it for the God of the Old Testament is a war God. We cannot reconcile it with the God of Love, Jesus Christ. Islamists treat Jesus Christ only as a Prophet and not the Messiah He was and is. The extremists have declared jihad against the Christians. But we must all lay down our arms and go back to the negotiating table. Our Mother Earth is at risk and the solution lies with us working hand in hand with each other to save Mother Earth. We must purge ourselves of our inner daemons and see each other eye-to-eye.

I believe in reincarnation and the issue of the death penalty begs the question – “What is the value of a life versus the value of a soul?” If we are to kill the evils amongst us, then we hasten their cycle of death and rebirth towards an opportunity for them to redeem themselves. But by killing them, we are putting our own souls at risk from the Divine Judgment. We should not be so easy to take up arms against our fellow humankind. Each soul has a silver lining no matter how dark the soul may seem. But there would come a time when a soul chooses to live in the dark and the light may seem faint. That is the time when the bright souls would shine and share their light with the dark. We will all collectively fight against the darkness within and win the war against evil. We should all just remain steadfast and fight the good fight – for the greater good. Cast away your prejudices against your fellow humans and you would find the light.

In the darkness, let there be light. At risk of sounding cliché, I pray for world peace.