BPP reviews cases of 64 inmates

MANILA, Philippines - The Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP) is reviewing the cases of at least 64 inmates for the possible grant of parole or executive clemency.

“The Board of Pardons and Parole hereby gives notice that the cases of the following prisoners shall be reviewed for the purpose of considering them for parole/executive clemency,” according to a BPP advertisement, which The STAR published yesterday.

Reynaldo Bayang, the board’s executive director, signed the announcement.

Interested parties were advised to forward their comments, relevant information or objections to Bayang within 30 days.

The President grants pardon or executive clemency to prisoners based on the recommendation of the BPP.

Executive clemency pertains to reprieve, absolute or conditional pardon with or without parole conditions and commutation of sentence.

On the other hand, parole is the conditional release of a prisoner from a correctional institution after he has served the minimum of his sentence.

It has been the practice of Malacañang to grant executive clemency to prisoners during the Christmas season.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda, however, could not tell if President Aquino would follow the tradition this year, saying Justice Secretary Leila de Lima would have to review the list first.