No politics in pardon of 2 Ninoy killers - Palace

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang assured the family of former President Corazon Aquino that the grant of executive clemency for two men convicted in the murders of former Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and Rolando Galman went through the normal process and had nothing to do with politics.

Executive clemency was granted to two of the convicted assassins, Felizardo Taran Jr. and Rolando de Guzman.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said the reaction of Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III was understandable since it involved the murder of his father.

Aquino criticized President Arroyo and her administration for granting executive clemency to Taran and De Guzman, accusing the Palace of petty vindictiveness towards his family because of their consistent criticism of the administration.

Fajardo said that Senator Aquino should not be faulted for being emotional about the impending release of the two men from prison.

“As a daughter, if something like that happened to my father, probably I would be emotional as well even if it happened a long time ago. So I could understand how he feels,” Fajardo said.

Fajardo denied the claims of Aquino and emphasized that the application for executive clemency was made a long time ago and went through the normal process as required by law.

“Just like any pardon given to other convicts, it has gone through the process,” she said.

Mrs. Arroyo and Mrs. Aquino were allies in the past but their relationship is now strained after the former president started criticizing the present Palace occupant on various occasions.

Mrs. Aquino has led several anti-Arroyo rallies in the past, which primarily called for the resignation of Mrs. Arroyo.            – Marvin Sy