GMA pardons 14 convicts for humanitarian reasons

President Arroyo has granted executive clemency to 14 convicts for humanitarian reasons, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said yesterday.

In his weekly press conference, Ermita said Mrs. Arroyo signed an order last Nov. 7 granting conditional pardon to Alfredo Ambin, Leopoldo Barrios, Rodolfo Bernaldez, Vicente Blasé Sr., Nestor Dabalos, Procopio Engrova, Rico Galvez, Vicente Lamanero, Ruben Lee, Ambrosio Liyag, Antonio Mais, Fely Mercado, Felixberto Morales and Bernabe Parcon.

Ermita said his office transmitted the President’s order to Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez and the director of the Bureau of Corrections in Muntinlupa City for implementation.

Mrs. Arroyo has been granting conditional pardons and commuted the sentences of prisoners as part of her policy to decongest jails and allow reformed convicts to rejoin their families and the rest of society.