Noy pardons ailing British convict

MANILA, Philippines - In the spirit of the holiday season, President Aquino granted conditional pardon to an ailing Briton convicted of drug trafficking, and reduced the jail term of four other convicts, Malacañang announced yesterday. 

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said William Burton, sentenced to life imprisonment on drug trafficking charges, was granted “conditional pardon with voluntary deportation.”

Among the conditions set for his pardon are: payment of P20,000 fine, agreement to a voluntary deportation or turnover to immigration authorities, and assumption of transportation expenses for his return to Ruffort, Yorkshire in England. The physical condition of Burton is reportedly deteriorating. 

Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David was tasked to ensure strict compliance with the conditions of the pardon.

If Burton does not comply with the conditions of the clemency, he will be “recommitted.” 

Aquino also commuted the life sentence of Antonio Aure, Edy Paneza and Alvani Salasa. The sentences of Aure and Paneza were reduced to 25 years while that of Salasa was reduced to 27. 

Aure was convicted by a court in Dapa, Surigao del Norte for illegal fishing with the use of explosives while Paneza was convicted by the Iloilo City regional trial court for highway robbery which also carried payment of P50,000 civil indemnity.

Salasa, on the other hand, was convicted by a court in Tagum, Davao for robbery with homicide. 

The 20-year jail term of Aurelio Nartatez was reduced to 12 years. He was convicted by a regional court in Candon, Ilocos Sur for drug possession, which also carried the payment of P300,000 fine. 

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima directed Maj. Gen. Gaudencio Pangilinan of the Bureau of Corrections to ensure that the pardon for the inmates is implemented. 

The President has pardoned six convicts since assuming office in June 2010.

He first granted executive clemency to convicted kidnapper Mariano Umbrero last July but he died of cancer four days before his release papers were signed. Umbrero, who suffered from stage four cancer, died on July 15. Aquino, however, signed his release papers on July 19. Umbrero only served eight years of his life sentence, which is equivalent to 40 years. 

All Philippine presidents release around 100 convicts at Christmas.

Aquino did not do so in December 2010 but was prodded by De Lima, who cited Umbrero’s terminal illness.   

Aquino, however, admitted having a hard time releasing convicts because he is not comfortable with the idea of granting what he calls “automatic discounts” of their terms in the penitentiary.  

He said he prefers the justice system in the US where a criminal sentenced to life imprisonment would serve his sentence without pardon or parole.  

He cited the case of the man who killed Robert Kennedy, who remains in jail until now.