Three convicts get 90-day reprieve

Three death convicts set to be executed next month have been given another 90-day reprieve by President Arroyo.

Emmy Divina, New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) public information chief, said they received the order from Mrs. Arroyo last Thursday.

However, Divina refused to name the convicts in accordance with Bureau of Corrections rules and regulations.

Divina said the cases and dates of execution of the convicts were not stated in Mrs. Arroyo’s order, but she said they were the same ones given reprieves last February and May.

Acting Justice Secretary Merceditas Gutierrez announced early this month that executions would be resumed at the National Penitentiary in Muntinlupa City.

Gutierrez had reportedly ordered NBP officials to start preparing for the execution of 10 convicts next month.

Divina said six of those set to be executed are convicted kidnappers, while the other four are convicted rapists and murderers.

A source at NBP told The STAR that the latest reprieves signify Malacañang’s lack of political will and its "being soft" on criminals.

"And we can expect a series of reprieves for the other convicts scheduled for execution," said the source on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, Msgr. Robert Olaguer, NBP chaplain, said he was thankful that Mrs. Arroyo is now carefully taking on the cases of death convicts. — Edu Punay