GMA pardons 10 prisoners for Christmas

President Arroyo granted pardon to 10 prisoners who presumably made it home to their families and loved ones before Christmas day.

Granted conditional pardon by the President were Joaquin Ambojnon, Floresto Baldona Sr., Alejandro Bato, Antonio Bolanda, Leodegario Esoc, Abundio Fernandez, Jesus Nocora, Arnaldo Ricafor, Mariano Ronda and Ambrocio Villapana.

New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) Superintendent Ramon Reyes said that around 50 inmates were released from prison Wednesday, including the 10 who were given presidential pardon and nine other prisoners whose sentences were commuted by the President.

These were Noel Aguilar, Angel Bergantinos, Adolfo Catabay, Lerry Castillo, Baltazar De Leon, Elpidio Ducusin, Thomas Ofracio Jr., Romy Sagun and Regoberto Ybeas.

“The inmates’ release was timely considering that it’s Christmas. That is a fitting gift for them,” Reyes said.

Under the law, the President has the power to grant pardon to any prisoner, for any reason.

However, in almost all cases, the President acts in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Pardons and Parole as to which prisoners would be granted pardon.

Most of the time, pardon is granted to prisoners who are already old, ailing and have served their time in prison due to term reductions on good behavior.

Commutation, on the other hand, would allow prisoners to get out of prison sooner, as their sentences are reduced to something less severe than what was actually prescribed by the courts. – With Rhodina Villanueva