What is your comment about President Arroyo's use of executive clemency to pardon imprisoned highprofile personalities?

William Bacani, Bulacan: If one is qualified and has gone through all the motions, no problem. One’s prominence, this time, is a liability.  

Quintin Miguel, Manila: Aside from bold corruption, clemency to selected highprofile convicts is another Arroyo legacy!  

No pardon for capital crimes

Rico Fabello, Parañaque City: I will not question the executive power of the President, though deep inside, I can only wish that these criminals be given the utmost punishment they deserve: 100 years and a day.  

Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: GMA should never pardon criminals convicted of capital crimes, like that mad dog Teehankee.  

Gerry del Cano, Muntinlupa City: If GMA had decided to transfer Teehankee to minimum detention, the controversy would not have become as big as this.  

Reo Reonal, Albay: Any president can use executive clemency, and it doesn’t matter if the prisoner is highprofile or not. It’s just that GMA doesn’t have delicadeza.  

Money talks

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: Good for those highprofile prisoners. They already lived very comfortably inside the jail, they are given executive clemency pa. Iba talaga kapag mapera ka.  

Janet Lopez, Manila: Could it be that blindfolded lady justice may have heard the clink of gold, callously dropped on her nowfishy scales?  

Rose Leobrera, Manila: I’m pretty sure there is money involved here. Di nga ba there have already been previous transactions and dealings worked out without our knowledge only to be surprised by the headlines? I wonder how much the Teehankees paid. Isn’t it unfair?  

Jose Jumawan, Metro Manila: It smacks of elitism and of highclass networking among the moneyed and the influential. Where is the rule of law?

Arrin Villareal, Antipolo City: I just hope it’s not her way of paying back.  

Diony Yap, Bacolod City: Poor Juan dela Cruz. He must be a Teehankee, Estrada or Jalosjos to qualify for presidential pardon.  

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: While poor suspects languish like sardines in other prisons, highprofile criminals live like kings in Muntinlupa Bilibid in private rooms with splittype aircons, refrigerators filled to the brim with food, oversized LCD TVs, their own tennis court and hamburger stand. Would you still be surprised they are given executive clemency long before their prison term expires?  

It’s the President’s prerogative

Jun Cajucom, Tacloban City: Much has been said on TV and in the papers about this, but she very well knows what she’s doing.  

L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: It’s the prerogative of PGMA to grant pardon whether it be for unknown or highprofile criminals. If a prisoner has served his sentence, then he is eligible for such.  

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: Pres. Arroyo’s use of executive clemency to pardon imprisoned highprofile personalities is her prerogative as mandated by the Constitution. It was also based on the justices’ recommendations, so no one can question her decision.  

Nito Aquino, Makati City: The President’s power to pardon any convict for whatever reason is absolute. It’s Constitutional; no motion for reconsideration nor TRO can overturn it.  

Leonard Villa, Batac City: Executive clemency is one of the powers vested on the President. Anybody who questions its implementation is questioning the law, which is absurd.   

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: Sorry to say but that right and privilege is accorded only to a sitting president of the land. That’s not really too hard to understand.  

Felix Ramento, Manila: It’s PGMA’s prerogative to grant executive clemency to prisoners recommended by prison officials for such presidential action, na ang ibig sabihin ay dumaan din sila sa butas ng karayom.  

June Deoferio, Cavite City: I think it’s the prerogative of the President to pardon or not any persons who are recommended by the Board of Parole.  

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: GMA’s executive clemency to pardon prisoners is within the law applicable to all prisoners, wealthy or poor as the Bureau of Correction records show.  

Nap Cinco, Rizal: Most of us know that it’s PGMA’s prerogative to pardon any imprisoned personalities, highprofile or not. I hope that it went through due process.  

Rodolfo Capili, Caloocan City: I sympathize with the feelings of the aggrieved, but PGMA is exercising her right and privilege under a functioning democracy, after due consideration.  

Quid pro quo

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: You reap what you sow. She is preparing for the days when she is longer President. Expecting that plunder charges would be filed against her, she’d better start giving favors to those whom she thinks would be of help when the time comes.  

An abuse of authority

Ric Vergara, Calamba: On the Estrada and Teehankee cases, her excellency clearly abused her authority. Pinatunayan dito na talagang mahirap ang mga mahihirap!  

R. Santos, Isabela: My observation is that Presidential power on clemency is being abused. Seriously, ill and old ones are the only ones deserving.  

Coty Parco, Kalibo, Aklan: She can pardon or grant clemency to Osama bin Laden for all I care. It’s her absolute right, but to abuse such rights is no longer her right!  

Rizalina Reyes, Las Piñas City: It is an abuse of authority on the part of the President. The granting of executive clemency, specifically to highprofile personalities, should be on a casetocase basis. This was a heinous crime perpetrated by a man who didn’t think twice before he pulled the trigger on teenagers, despite their pleas, while on their knees. What is happening to our beloved country? What is happening to our leaders in government? Have our sense of judgment gone to the dogs or is personal interest the order of the day, notwithstanding the consequences?  

Rene Poder, Manila: The Palace has always maintained that its clemency powers are absolute, with no appeal permitted. Ditto for its gall and moral bankruptcy.  

Don Hernandez, Las Piñas City: The use of executive clemency is entirely the President’s right and prerogative. What I find disturbing, though, is GMA’s penchant for passing controversial measures under a veil of secrecy and without bothering to consult principal parties involved. Whether it’s pulling a fast one on the Filipino people with the MOAAD or catching the Hultmans completely by surprise with the Teehankee pardon, it clearly shows PGMA’s imperiousness and lack of sensitivity.  

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: GMA’s use of executive clemency stinks. It has been abused and has political color. She and her minions have set aside any trace of decency.  

Indifference to the victims

Fortunato Aguirre, Bulacan: Abusive clemency is insensitive to the sufferings of the victims. How can she forgive those killers when she or her family are not their victims? Malinaw na palakasan ito.

Alvin Perez, Manila: GMA must’ve had a hidden agenda. I don’t know why Teehankee was granted such when he was a convicted murderer. Murderers should never be given any chance to change. Am I being too harsh? No. What about the victims’ right to live? They were deprived of that right.  

Reeks of political patronage

Marielle Quiboquibo, Rizal: The justice system of our country is no longer being taken seriously. Crimes happen. Catching criminals is a matter of luck. Judgment takes forever. And then there’s executive clemency for the moneyed and the privileged. And we still hope crime rates will go down? Not when the biggest criminals can grant executive clemency to their tribemates. We should examine what the government, particularly GMA and her staff, stands to gain from pardoning these highprofile criminals. We must consider the fact that elections are near, and at this time, political parties are working on political donations, and they will get theirs using any manner.  

To err is human…

Erwin Espinosa, Pangasinan: It’s an executive privilege and prerogative. Let’s respect it. After all, everyone deserves a chance.  x

Erwin Espinosa, Pangasinan: Tama lang. Por que ba  highprofile convicts sila ay wala ng karapatang makakuha sa pangulo ng bansa ng executive clemency? Unfair naman.   

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: It’s the President’s prerogative and a Christian act to pardon remorseful convicts, whether highprofile or lowprofile imprisoned personalities.  

Jaime Macayana, Republic of South Africa: God is the ultimate power and authority in the universe, so justice best occurs on earth when power and authority are exercised in conformity with God’s standards of moral excellence. Injustice occurs when power is used wrongly to take from others what God has given them, namely their life, dignity, liberty or the fruits of their love and labor. The Biblical concept of justice reflects special concern for protecting vulnerable people from victimization by the powerful. It brings judgment on the wrongdoer but also works to restore the victim, the offender and the community. It is contrary to my conviction as a Christian to declare anyone hopeless and deny the possibility of reclamation.  

The law should be equal

Carl Anderson Saniel, Pasay City: The President’s use of executive clemency is fair when it is used on everyone, especially those who really want to change. The judge among them should be fair and accurate. Give the same chances and be fair to everyone. God is giving us the opportunity to change into good.  

Gerald de Peralta, Ilocos Sur: To be fair, PGMA should also pardon poor, more deserving inmates.  

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: It was unfair because all those highprofile personalities who were granted executive clemency by PGMA committed heinous crimes and they did not deserve it. In this case, she should also pardon ordinary criminals who committed the same degree of crimes. I have reason to believe that the gesture was an act of debt of gratitude.  

Eric Gopilan, Manila: The President should pardon imprisoned common convicts, too, so it won’t be obvious that she is favoring these highprofile personalities.  

Lorenzo Fernandez Jr., Nueva Ecija: Executive clemency should not be used as one pleases, lest it be abused. And if it won’t be abolished anyway, it should be given more to those who have less in life.  

Media is being irresponsible

Nony de Leon, Bulacan: The release of Teehankee from prison is another case of media frenzy. Many others have been likewise pardoned but media did not take the slightest notice. Those released were not considered worth the hype. Sadly, much of media still practices sensationalism and exaggeration.  

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: PGMA uses executive clemency to pardon the deserving inmate, regardless of who the person is. Media makes a lot of noise when it’s a highprofile personality and a deafening silence when the guy is poor.  

Bad legal advice

G.M. Baliatan, Angono, Rizal: It’s easy to understand the pardon of Erap, but not that of a convicted killer who had to serve three terms in prison. PGMA got bad legal advice.  

Sending the wrong signal

Imee Aglibot, Rizal: While it looks like an abuse of power, I’d still give a little weight to DOJ’s side. The only thing I was shocked about is the manner Teehankee was taken out of his cell. Though PGMA had rendered presidential pardons to aging prisoners, men and women, it tends to send a wrong signal.  

Cris Rivera, Rizal: In Teehankee’s release, which was wrapped in darkness, whatever the intentions were might be forgotten, but not the defeat of fair judgment and credibility.  

Gerii Calupitan, Quezon City: PGMA’s executive clemency is the same humanitarian reason bull the judiciary uses when pardoning, letting offthehook, or tolerating highprofile personalities.  

We would have to amend the Charter

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: If the prerogative of the President in granting clemency is deemed to have been abused, then Congress should repeal the enabling law.  

Digoy Coro, Batangas: Poor and rich convicted murderers are threats to all once out of jail. Such power needs to be reviewed for some limitations if the death penalty cannot be revived.  

Josh Pacatang, Dipolog City: The President’s power to pardon is provided in the 1987 Constitution. If you want it removed, you have to amend the Charter fast so that Pres. Arroyo and the next presidents can’t pardon Aquino’s convicted killers. Teehankee was released because of the Cory Constitution; Arroyo was only implementing it. Is that clear, folks?  

Norberto Robles, Taguig: Like it or not, highprofile or not, this the President’s call, unless and until the power to grant pardon, which all previous executives exercised, is removed through a Constitutional amendment.  

A mockery of the justice system

Alphonse Tan, Metro Manila: If they can use executive clemency to pardon imprisoned highprofile personalties, then what’s the use of the justice system? Let’s just not go through the process of all the hearings and convictions and save all taxpayers from spending on judges, court personnel and even board and lodging for convicted criminals.  

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: The President has either abused or erred in the granting of executive clemency to ousted President Estrada, Norberto Manero, Jr. and Claudio Teehankee Jr. It seems also that exRep. Romeo Jalosjos is set to be released this month. With these unpopular grants, especially to highprofile prisoners, it is better to take away that executive power and let the judiciary create an independent board for every petition for pardon, parole or commutation of sentence. Executive clemency is a mockery of our efforts for justice.  

Rey Onate, Palayan City: I think nobody will give a damn if the mercy is given to a simple Pinoy. Nakakaasiwa sa damdamin na ang dayuhan ay kinukutya ang opisyales ng ating gobyerno at pati ang ating pangulo. Damangdama ang kapalaluan.  

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: My concern and confusion is, we wasted taxpayers’ money on a long process of investigation to make sure that the final decision was beyond reasonable doubt, only for the convicted to be pardoned afterwards. Congress must file a law eliminating this executive power of clemency to convicted prisoners but to automatically release convicts after completion of the decided term, or upon reaching the age of 75, whichever comes first.  

Prominence has its ups and downs

Ryan Pahimulin, Rizal: Many convicts have been similarly pardoned but Teehankee happens to belong to a prominent family, kaya maraming pumapapel.  

Edgar Artates, Parañaque City: It’s the President’s prerogative to use executive clemency to pardon any prisoner. However, when she applies it to an imprisoned highprofile personality it becomes a controversial news item. That’s when the debates start.  

Cliff Taguiam, Manila: Seemingly, convicted rich people have found a good friend in PGMA.  

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: Although executive clemency is the prerogative of the President, pardon to highprofile criminals draws criticism from the people.  

Who’s next?

Elpidio Que, Vigan: The granting of executive clemency to criminals is the President’s prerogative. PGMA’s release of Teehankee, who proved himself a spawn of the devil for killing, in cold blood, innocent kids whose futures were every promising, is a manifestation that she does not care if it will enrage the Filipino people who are so much aware of his heinous crime. Who’s next? Go, Jalosjos or Sanchez?  

It should have a sound basis

I.Q. Calata, Parañaque City: The questions to that question are: 1. Is PGMA using executive clemency only for highprofile personalities? 2. Is the focus of the media only on these personalities, so that it appears as if the executive clemency is only for them? If the answer to both is “yes,” then my comment is, that’s bad. If “no,” I’d say, “Well and good!” However, the basis for clemency should be wellstated.  

It’s okay by me as long as they were serving their terms as a regular prisoner with no special privileges.  J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Parañaque City

Cheryl Hernandez, Quezon City: Though it is within her executive power to do so, and part of her so many privileges as President, executive clemency must nevertheless be exercised pursuant to justice and equity.  

Presidential pardon draws criticism

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: This presidential prerogative of pardoning imprisoned highprofile personalities shouldn’t be met with outright cynicism.  

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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