House members determine number of crimes punishable with death

House Justice Committee Chairman Reynaldo Umali reports, lawmakers in the House of Representatives may be able to pass next month the bill seeking the revival of death penalty.

He says, the only major point House members are debating on is the number of crimes that will be punishable with death.

Umali notes, in the current deliberations, the crimes contained in the death penalty measure are murder, rape, kidnapping, carnapping and illegal drugs.

The lawmaker says, the sponsorship for the bill has been finished.

He, however, acknowledges that some legislators may still push for the reduction in the number of offenses that are covered by the death penalty bill.