Pacquiao interprets Bible differently in pushing death penalty: CBCP

“It is just unfortunate that (Senator) Pacquiao has a wrong interpretation of the Bible. He is actually misleading the public on his own understanding of the scriptural passage. This is what is dangerous,” CBCP-CPPC executive secretary Rodolfo Diamante said. (File photo: Manny Pacquiao/Facebook)

MANILA — An official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Commission on Prison Pastoral Care (CBCP-CPPC) said Senator Manny Pacquiao has a different understanding of the Bible.

CBCP-CPPC executive secretary Rodolfo Diamante made the remarks in response to Pacquiao’s justification of death penalty as ‘biblical’.

“It is just unfortunate that (Senator) Pacquiao has a wrong interpretation of the Bible. He is actually misleading the public on his own understanding of the scriptural passage. This is what is dangerous,” Diamante said in an interview on Monday.

“The Senator should ask his staff to do some solid research before sharing his thoughts on any issue,” he added.

At the same time, the CBCP-ECPPC official reminded Pacquiao that it is his duty as a public official to be a protector of life.

“Furthermore, he was elected by the people to protect the quality of Life of people and not to extinguish it,” he added.

In a radio interview on Saturday, the boxing champion-turned-senator said he will push for the speedy passage of a law reinstating death penalty in the country.

Pacquiao’s statements came after Pope Francis declared that death penalty is unacceptable and can never be justified, even for heinous crimes.

President Rodrigo Duterte has earlier reiterated his stand in favor of restoring death penalty as a deterrent against crime and illegal drugs.

In June 2006, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Republic Act 9346 which abolished death penalty in the country.