Question

In a certain province in the Philippines, a notorious criminal was sentenced to death by lethal injection. After several appeals and legal proceedings, the court affirmed the conviction, and the date for execution was set.

On the day of the scheduled execution, the prison authorities discovered that the convict had passed away peacefully in his sleep. The cause of death was determined to be natural, unrelated to any medical conditions that would have prevented the execution.

Under Philippine law, what are the legal consequences when a convict sentenced to death passes away before the execution can be carried out? Discuss the implications of total extinction on the conviction and potential legal remedies available to the state in such circumstances.