MANILA, Philippines — With the death penalty bill on the verge of becoming a law, Vice President Leni Robredo places her hope on conscience of lawmakers as House Bill 4727 is set to undergo third and final reading.

The third reading is usually acknowledged as a mere formality to have a proposed law approved at the House of Representatives.

Robredo admitted on Friday she was not contented with the way HB 4727 was approved, saying it was rushed and not scrutinized thoroughly in the committee level.

She said the bill was also forced to hurdle the second reading in the plenary last Wednesday.

“Kahit naipasa na siya sa second reading, hindi pa rin tayo nawawalan ng pag-asa. Naga-appeal pa rin tayo sa konsensiya ng ating mga mambabatas na kahit ganito ‘yung mga attempts para ipilit siya, sana ‘yung konsensiya nila ‘yung manaig pagdating ng third reading,” the vice president said in a radio interview with DYAB Radyo Patrol AM 1512.

Maintaining her opposition to the death penalty, Robredo raised three concerns, namely its previous implementation, the flawed justice system and its adverse consequences to accused who are poor.

Leni’s 3 reasons

“Noong panahon ba na may death penalty tayo, naging deterrent ba ito dito sa atin? Makikita natin sa figures na hindi,” Robredo said.

Robredo, moreover, said the country’s faulty justice system will decide who will be hanged, shot by a firing squad or will undergo lethal injection.

“Isusugal ba natin iyong magkaroon tayo ng death penalty considering na alam natin na marami pang kailangang gawin para ayusin ‘yung ating justice system,” she continued.

The latest version of the bill only covers those convicted for drug-related offenses, while so-called heinous crimes such as treason, plunder, rape and murder were removed.

The vice president said the proposed measure is against the poor who have no access to the best legal counsels to defend themselves.

“Tama ba ‘yung desisyon, tama ba yung conviction niya, o mali. Ito ang nakakalungkot kasi parang sinusugal natin itong lahat para sa isang paniniwala na hindi pa naman convicted,” she added.

Robredo also noted that the Philippines is a signatory to the Treaty of International Convention on Civil and Political Rights of the United Nations Human Rights Office requiring the abolition of capital punishment.

The third and final reading of President Rodrigo Duterte’s pet bill is scheduled on Wednesday backed by his allies comprising a so-called “supermajority.”

Both chambers of the Congress must pass the law to be ratified in a bicameral conference before it is passed to Duterte for signing.