Manny Pacquiao argues for restoration of death penalty using the Bible

Eight-division boxing world champion and Filipino senator Manny Pacquiao has made it his next battle to fight against drugs and criminality. The boxing legend is calling for the restoration of capital punishment in a bid to counter the problems, and the wildly popular boxer has used Bible verses in his arguments for re-establishing the death penalty.

The 37-year-old Pacquiao, popularly known as "Pacman" in the ring, recently retired from world of boxing and won a senatorial seat in the Philippine national elections last May. 

His first privilege speech as a senator echoed the new administration's battle cry against crime. Pacquiao, however, brought it a step further by pushing for the restoration of the death penalty. He recently authored a senate bill on increasing the punishment of heinous crimes.

"We need to clarify that from then until now, the Constitution never barred the imposition of the death penalty, especially in the eyes of God," Pacquiao said in his speech, according to a Philippine news outlet. 

"Having read the Bible on a regular basis, I am convinced that God is not just a God of mercy, but also a God of justice," he added.

The Christian Post reported Paquiao citing several bible verses, one of which is Exodus 21:12, which said that those who strike others will be put to death. The boxer also cited Romans 13:4, which talked about how the authorities are God's servants who punish wrongdoers. 

Pacquiao said the drug trade in the Philippines is a big problem because innocent citizens are at risk of the drug addicts who run amok in the streets.

"Drug addicts are addicted to drugs, while drug lords are addicted to money. We must speak to the criminal minds in the only language they understand. They must understand that our government will put a stop to impunity," he explained.

Pacquiao is very vocal about his Christian faith and has embroiled himself in various controversies regarding his religious stance on sensitive issues like same-sex marriage and the death penalty.