The trumpeted victory of the House leadership in the passage on second reading of the death penalty bill with unconscionable haste is actually hollow for the following reasons:

1. Threats, intimidation, pressure and enticement prevented the Members of the House, particularly those belonging to the supermajority, from casting a conscience vote;

2. Dissent and debate were stifled in the wake of the bill’s railroading; and

3. Established House rules and honored traditions in the consideration of a measure have been flagrantly violated with impunity.

An empty victory is no victory at all.

EDCEL C. LAGMAN