Corruption has gotten so out of control in the Philippines that lawmakers are now debating whether executing politicians is the answer.
A bill filed in early 2025 by Zamboanga Representative Khymer Adan Olaso would impose the death penalty — by firing squad — on any public official convicted of corruption, plunder, or misuse of public funds. Under House Bill 11211, the measure would apply across the entire government: from the President all the way down to local village officials, and including members of the military and police. Nobody in power would be exempt.
The bill isn't a free-for-all. Every conviction would require review and affirmation by the Philippine Supreme Court, and all legal appeals must be fully exhausted before any sentence is carried out. But once those boxes are checked — it's the firing squad.
The Philippines abolished the death penalty in 2006 after years of controversy, and with the country's strong Catholic influence, any move to reinstate it remains politically explosive. Supporters argue that no existing punishment has done anything to stop corruption. Critics warn that death sentences could easily be weaponized against political opponents.
The bill is currently in committee. Whether it advances may come down to a simple question: is public anger at corrupt officials stronger than the country's moral opposition to capital punishment?
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