Roberto Jagdon, who was convicted in the killing of dyDD Bantay Radyo commentator George Benaojan and Parian barangay tanod Felix delos Santos, yesterday asked President Gloria Arroyo for unconditional pardon following his two convictions for homicide.
Jagdon’s lawyer Rameses Villagonzalo yesterday forwarded to Malacañang the application for “absolute, free and unconditional pardon” for his client.
Jagdon, who is now detained at Cebu City Jail, was recently convicted for two separate counts of homicide by Regional Trial Court Judges Gilbert Moises and Eric Menchavez.
“The unconditional pardon on his twin convictions is anchored on a simple comparison with respect to the Estrada plunder conviction,” Villagonzalo said.
Jagdon was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for killing Benaojan and Delos Santos on December 1, 2005, while former president Joseph Estrada was sentenced to 20 to 40 years in jail before his pardon.
But Villagonzalo said Jagdon’s conviction was under plea bargain while Estrada was proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt. Jagdon’s civil liability only entails P529,000 while Estrada involves P700 million.
“Based on the foregoing circumstances and comparison, it is the humble submission of petitioner, Mr. Jagdon, that he deserves absolute pardon equally, if not more than Mr. Estrada deserves,” Villagonzalo added.
“He knocks on the heart of the Chief Executive that he be given and granted absolute, full and unconditional pardon in order to start his life anew,” Villagonzalo also said. —Ramil V. Ayuman/BRP