Noynoy hits absolute pardon request

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III assailed yesterday the request for absolute pardon by the convicted murderers of his father, Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr., while President Arroyo awaited the recommendation of the Board of Pardons and Parole on their petition.

Aquino said he would ask another forensic expert to belie the claim of Chief Public Attorney Persida Acosta that the former soldiers did not kill his father.

“I want to show through scientific means that these people were the ones involved (in the killing of my father) and not Galman,” he said, adding, “So there will be no more doubts.”

Aquino said he does not want the future generation to have a “wrong sense of history” and believe the claim of Acosta and the former soldiers that military-tagged assassin Rolando Galman shot and killed his father.

“The future generation might be confused,” he said.

“I was able to find an expert who could look into the study (being presented by Acosta) and prove them wrong.  

“This time it’s going to be scientific, if that is what they want.”

Aquino said he was able to speak with some witnesses, including one who saw what really happened at the airport tarmac on Aug. 21, 1983.

Aquino questioned Acosta’s motives in seeking absolute pardon for the convicted killers of his father.

“All the lawyers I’ve talked to are saying that once convicted, there is forfeiture of benefits, all pay, privileges and benefits,” he said.

At Malacañang, Deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said Mrs. Arroyo’s role in matters related to the issuance of executive clemency and pardon is purely ministerial as the decision making and recommendations lie with the Bureau of Pardons and Parole and Bureau of Corrections.

“We understand the sentiments of the convicts,” she said.

“The President maintains that due process must be followed. She will wait for the recommendation of the Board of Pardons and Parole.”

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said he would meet with officials of the DOJ, BPP, BuCor and Department of Social Welfare and Development to discuss the legal and social implications of the grant of absolute pardon to the former soldiers.

In a letter, the 13 former soldiers asked Bureau of Pardons and Parole executive director Reynaldo Bayang to request the Mrs. Arroyo to grant them absolute pardon.

The convicted soldiers are: Pablo Martinez, Arnulfo Artates, Ruben Aquino, Rolando De Guzman, Rodolfo Desolong, Arnulfo De Mesa, Ernesto Mateo, Felomino Miranda, Rogelio Moreno, Felizardo Taran, Claro Lat, Jesus Castro and Romeo Bautista.

Martinez was released in 2007 after he was granted clemency while the others were released this year through a commutation of sentence.

Last Feb. 6, De Guzman and Taran also received clemency.

A total of 16 soldiers, including a general, were convicted of the Aquino-Galman murders in 1983.

They were sentenced to two life terms, but maintained that Galman shot Aquino. – With Marvin Sy