READERS’ COMMENTS

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On “Rituals Off; Faith On” (Published on July 30 2020):

• Antonio Doblon: “Maybe it’s about time for devotees to contemplate that they can still venerate mama Mary without the mob desecration of Nuestra Senora de Pe Francia’s image every traslacion procession and piling up in long lines and seeking opportunities just to wipe hankies and kiss the Virgin’s image. As these practice was inculturated in the century old religious affair, it will be surely missed by Bicolanos. Traditional vehicle lockdowns from Mabulo and in Panganiban were replaced by COVID 19 checkpoints. Most Bicolanos every fiesta of Our Lady of Peñafrancia from my experience feel life incomplete without going to Naga to at least peep scheduled feature activities of this Festival prominent worldwide.”

On Albay Bishop Opposes Death Penalty’s Revival (July 30, 2020)

*Sandie Verdadero

• -With due respect to Bishop Joel “Bong” Z. Baylon of the Diocese of Legaspi. Everyone is entitled to his opinion. I beg to disagree that Death Penalty is never a DETERRENT to crime and ANTI-POOR. Our constitution MANDATED every aacused of any crime to secure the service of a LAWYER. If he is poor, the court can appoint a lawyer from PAO, IBP, or any free legal assistance group to defend him. “If he is convicted he can appeal to the Court of Appeal and finally to the Supreme Court. The President out of humanitarian aspect can commute his death sentence to life. The poor has options that our law can provide. The rich and influencial people are not SPARED from death penalty as in the case of actress Maggie de la Riva, where the convicts were etrocuted. What is LACKING in the death penalty is the CONSISTENT ENFORCEMENT of the law. There are convicts in our jails who were sentenced to die due to heinous crimes but comforted themselves due to Reclusion Perpetua. These PUSHERS, PLUNDERS, RAPIST, KILLERS, KIDNAPPERS, TREASONERS, CYBER SEX CRIME PEDOPHILES are not afraid to commit crimes due to absence of death penalty law. As the saying goes “May mga tao hindi nadadala sa santong dasalan dapat sa santong paspasan”.” DURA LEX SED LEX. The writer is a former court sheriff.