48 more inmates under review for pardon

MANILA, Philippines – The Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP) is vetting 48 more inmates who may be granted executive clemency.

In a public notice published in The STAR Friday, the BPP listed the names of the candidates for presidential pardon and invited public to participate in the vetting process.

“Any interested party may send his/her written objections/comments/information relevant to the cases of above-named prisoners to the undersigned not later than 30 days from date of publication,” read the announcement signed by BPP executive director Reynaldo Bayang.

The new list brought to 473 the total number of inmates currently being reviewed by the board, which also announced last August it was reviewing the cases of 69 other inmates applying for presidential pardon.

In November last year, the BPP recommended 47 inmates for executive clemency. The decision, however, remained pending at the Palace.

President Aquino had wanted to grant executive clemency to qualified inmates during Pope Francis’ visit but this did not push through.