The 37-year-old Pacquiao, one of the most revered boxers and Christian celebrities on the planet, gave his first speech as a senator during a legislative session last week. The “Pacman” called for the restoration of capital punishment, saying that doing so would benefit many of law-abiding Filipinos.
Although the death penalty was repealed in the Philippines in 2006, Pacquiao talked about the destruction and “havoc” that the illegal drug trade is causing in the Philippines.
In calling for the death penalty to be restored, the devout born-again believer cited several verses from the Bible to justify the morality in the government taking the life of criminals.
“[The] death penalty is lawful, moral and sanctioned governmental action. Having read the Bible on a regular basis, I am convinced that God is not just a God of mercy, but He is also a god of justice,” Pacquiao asserted. “So, on the issue of the death penalty, I could not help but consult the Bible.”
Pacquiao first cited Genesis 9:6, which states: “Whoever sheds human blood, by human shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind.”
Pacquiao then moved to Exodus 21:12, which reads: “Anyone who strikes a person with a fatal blow is to be put to death.”
Although Pacquiao is calling for capital punishment, he stressed that the rights of suspects to fair trials must be respected. He also stressed if the government is not doing enough to hold criminals accountable, citizens might be liable to take the law “in their own hands.”
Source: Christian Post
