Title
Supreme Court
Death by lethal injection for capital punishment
Law
Republic Act No. 8177
Decision Date
Mar 20, 1996
The Lethal Injection Law designates lethal injection as the method of carrying out capital punishment in the Philippines, ensuring that the death sentence is executed with preference and aims to mitigate the suffering of the convict, while also providing guidelines for the proper administration of lethal injection and allowing for executive clemency.

Q&A (Republic Act No. 8177)

The designated method of carrying out the death penalty under Republic Act No. 8177 is lethal injection.

Article 81 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Section 24 of Republic Act No. 7659, is further amended by Republic Act No. 8177.

The death sentence shall be executed under the authority of the Director of the Bureau of Corrections.

The Director of the Bureau of Corrections must ensure the lethal injection is sufficient to cause instantaneous death, mitigate the sufferings of the convict during the administration and relevant proceedings, and oversee that all personnel involved are trained for the task.

The death sentence must be carried out not earlier than one (1) year nor later than eighteen (18) months after the judgment has become final and executory.

Yes, the President retains the power to exercise executive clemency at all times, which can affect the execution of the death penalty.

Their sentences shall be automatically modified to be executed by lethal injection as provided under this Act.

The authorized physician of the Bureau of Corrections after a thorough examination officially pronounces the death and certifies it in the records.

The Implementing Rules to carry out the provisions of this Act must be promulgated by the Secretary of Justice in coordination with the Secretary of Health and the Bureau of Corrections.

The Act takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier, with publication no later than ten (10) days after approval.


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