169 elderly inmates up for executive clemency

As Christmas nears, the Board of Pardon and Parole has recommended to President Duterte the grant of executive clemency to 169 elderly convicts.

At yesterday’s House plenary budget deliberations, Oriental Mindoro Rep. Paulino Salvador Leachon said the Board’s recommendation was submitted to the President this month.

It was Leachon who defended the budget of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and its attached agencies.

“As of this moment, they have a total 169 cases for executive clemency and for consideration of the President. This was submitted, as of August this year. They have recommended 169 inmates who are now present detainees,

and for consideration of the President for discharge,” Leachon said.

“The number one consideration is of old age,” he said.

Leachon noted that as of 2016, 5,049 inmates were considered for parole. “The Board reviewed those qualified for parole across the country nationwide. Out of 5,049 who are supposed to be qualified for parole, those inmates who were granted parole were 1,950 and they were already released and 656 who were denied,” Leachon added.

“The cases for evaluation can only be recommendatory on the part of the Board of Pardon and Parole , it is up for the President whether he would grant it or not,” Leachon said.

When asked about the status of political detainees, the Oriental Mindoro lawmaker pointed to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) which has jurisdiction.