This archive report was first published on 22 July 2019.
On July 22, 2019, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte delivered his annual State of the Nation address, calling on lawmakers to revive the death penalty for heinous crimes.
With exceptionally high approval ratings and a legislature dominated by his allies, President Duterte emphasized the need to combat the country's deep-rooted corruption problem and narcotics trade.
"I respectfully request congress to reinstate the death penalty for heinous crimes related to drugs as well as plunder," he said, addressing hundreds of lawmakers, diplomats, and celebrities in Manila.
President Duterte's push for the death penalty is part of his internationally-condemned crackdown on narcotics, which has already resulted in the deaths of thousands of people at the hands of police.
