President Duterte To Grant Executive Clemency To 127 Sick, Elderly Prisoners Next Week

A total of 127 sick and elderly prisoners will be granted Executive Clemency by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte next week, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II revealed on Wednesday, January 25.

Sec. Aguirre said the President promised to pardon the detainees on Monday during the 11th Cabinet meeting after finding out that the order has not been signed yet.

“Magkatabi po kasi si Pangulo at si Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea so parang nalaman ni Pangulo na hindi pa napipirmahan yung list of the candidates for Executive Clemency. Ang sabi, kung ganoon, aniya, sige next week, aprubado iyan,” said the Justice Secretary.

The candidates for Executive Clemency come from correctional facilities under the control of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), including the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) and the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW).

Last November, President Duterte promised to release inmates aged at least 80 and those who have spent at least 40 years in jail.

“All the elderly and those who have illness, those with rheumatism, they can no longer run, those 80-years-old above. If they still want, if they still have family to go, I will grant them pardon also so that they can return,” President Duterte disclosed.

The Chief Executive made this pledge after he granted actor Robin Padilla absolute pardon.

Source: Newswatch PH