CHR exec dismayed over Pemberton pardon

MANILA, Philippines — An official of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has expressed disappointment over the decision of President Duterte to pardon homicide convict US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton.

CHR focal commissioner on gender equality Karen Gomez-Dumpit said granting pardon to Pemberton is an affront to the family of his victim, Jennifer Laude, and the entire lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) community.

“The commission recognizes the scope of the President’s power to grant pardon. However, there is still an obligation to account for the exercise of the pardon, to wield this power with prudence and sensitivity to the plight of victims,” she said in a statement yesterday.

Dumpit said Pemberton committed one of the most brutal crimes against a transwoman in the country and that his express pardon exhibited double standards, lack of fairness and the absence of empathy for the LGBTQI community.