Give Teehankee a new lease on life, critics told

MANILA, Philippines – Administration lawmakers called on critics of pardoned convicted murderer Claudio Teehankee Jr. to give him a new lease on life, citing the case of two former convicts who even managed to resume their political careers.

Zamboanga del Sur Rep. Antonio Cerilles cited Quezon City Rep. Vincent “Bingbong” Crisologo and former Caloocan congressman Luis “Baby” Asistio, who were both granted pardon by the late President Ferdinand Marcos.

Cerilles said the likes of Crisologo, who was convicted for arson, and Asistio, who was convicted for kidnapping, are “good examples that former inmates can lead a new life.”

The law provides that inmates with good behavior are qualified for clemency.

Another administration stalwart, Isabela Rep. Rodito Albano, said the clemency petition of Teehankee filed several years ago proves that there was basis for his pardon, contrary to claims of critics.

“As Justice Secretary (Raul) Gonzalez said, the Hultmans knew about the petition because it was contained in the settlement they signed with the Teehankees in 1999, where they accepted payment for civil damages,” he stressed.

“With this issue clarified in the vital document provided by Secretary Gonzalez, it’s time the President’s critics stop hitting her decision to grant Teehankee executive clemency,” the lawmaker said.

“Critics should stop being too judgmental. They should give him a chance to lead a new life. To err is human, to forgive divine,” said Albano, a member of the House contingent to the Commission on Appointments.

Legal experts in the House of Representatives, including a member of the opposition bloc, said President Arroyo merely exercised special powers granted her by the Constitution when she granted the pardon.

House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao and Maguindanao Rep. Simeon Datumanong said the President has “discretionary prerogative” to grant executive clemency to all convicts.

“Granting pardon is part of the privilege of President Arroyo, although sometimes she relies on the recommendations of the Board of Pardons and Parole,” Datumanong, a former justice secretary, said.

“There will be agitation. Let them petition it but let us make clear that it is the prerogative of the President under the Constitution,” he said.

Opposition Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro City agreed with Datumanong.

Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga, a former criminal defense lawyer and human rights advocate, said Teehankee deserves a chance at reform.

“For me, the fact that Claudio Teehankee Jr. has been convicted and was incarcerated for 14 years is already sufficient penalty for the crime which he has committed,” Barzaga said, noting that Teehankee was only the latest of more than 200 convicts granted executive clemency this year for good behavior.

“Let it be emphasized that the purpose of penalty is not only punitive but also reformatory. Hence, in this life the purpose of penalty has been satisfied and executive clemency would be proper. After all, as practicing Christians, we do not seek vengeance and we also forgive those who sinned against us,” Barzaga said.

Business execs up in arms

However, the executive clemency did not sit well with Makati City’s business leaders as they accused the Arroyo government of betraying the rights of the victims of heinous crime.

“Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita is correct in saying that the power to commute sentences and grant pardons is a presidential prerogative enshrined in the Constitution,” the Makati Business Club (MBC) said in a statement.

“However, in resorting to this argument to parry widespread criticism of the executive clemency granted (to Teehankee), the government betrayed a disturbing lack of respect for the victims’ rights and the public’s right to information,” the group noted. – Michael Punongbayan, Marvin Sy

The MBC stressed that while the government may have made the motions to meet the minimum requirements of the law with the notification of the Hultman family, which the Hultmans claim to have never received, and the publication of a notice when Teehankee applied for executive clemency, the recent statements of Ermita and Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez have demonstrated indifference to the plight of the victims’ families by insisting that the government was under no obligation to inform the family about the presidential pardon.

“But why deny the Hultmans, one of the grievously offended parties in this case, the courtesy and the right to be informed and to respond to the government decision?” asked the group which represents some 400 different corporations mostly based in Makati City.

The MBC said the alleged lack of transparency in the granting of the pardon, given the sensational nature and public attention that surrounded this case, can only lead people to question the motives behind the Arroyo administration’s actions.

Explain special treatment

Meanwhile, Malacañang has directed officials of the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) to explain the reported special treatment given to some high-profile inmates, including billeting in a bachelor pad type of facility.

Press Secretary Jesus Dureza emphasized that prisoners inside the NBP should be treated equally regardless of their stature.

The order came on the heels of the recent release of Teehankee from the NBP.

The much-publicized release, which was apparently done secretly, revealed that Teehankee was billeted in a fully furnished room located inside the prison facility.

Media practitioners, who staked out the NBP and waited for his release, were able to see the room that had an air-conditioning unit, a 42-inch LCD television, a queen-size bed and a refrigerator.

Another high-profile inmate, former Zamboanga del Norte congressman Romeo Jalosjos, was reportedly the one who spent for construction of the room, which he also occupied during his stay at NBP.

Teehankee was never seen by the media and reportedly slipped out of the prison facility by knocking down a part of the wall.

“I think the better take here is for the prison officials to explain why this is happening, why some of these reports are coming out about so-called special treatment and some special facilities for special prisoners,” Dureza said.

“Every prisoner must have to be treated equally, whether low rank or high rank, and so these reports about special facilities must have to be explained adequately by prison officials,” he added.

He said the prison officials must also explain the reported unusual exit taken by Teehankee. – Michael Punongbayan, Marvin Sy