Parole board to submit list of 300 PDLs for ‘clemency’
In time for PBBM’s birthday
THE Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP) is set to submit a list of at least 300 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) to Malacañang for possible grant of executive clemency by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PBBM) in time for his birthday on September 13.
Justice Department spokesperson Atty. Mico Clavano revealed this on Tuesday in a chance interview at the DOJ’s (Department of Justice) main office in Manila.
“Traditionally, we used to this in the past administration, we usually do this during Christmas, so every Christmas we have a list of PDLs na sina-submit sa OES (Office of the Executive Secretary) para they can afford itong executive clemency.”
“This year, at least in this administration… we will submit the list on his (Mr. Marcos) birthday, which is on Sept. 13 next week. So the list is being prepared by (Justice) Usec. Deo Marco. There are about 300 of them (PDLs) that are going to be up for executive clemency, and this will come from the BPP,” Clavano said.
According to Clavano, the entire decision of who among the 300 PDLs who will be fortunate enough to be granted clemency depends on the discretion of the Office of the President (OP) and OES.
“On our part, we will submit the list hopefully by Thursday afternoon or Friday morning to the OP and OES, and then it will be up to them already. I am sure magkakaroon po ng screening process yan and then hopefully on his (Mr. Marcos) birthday masa-sign na niya yung executive clemency, ” Clavano said.
“The 300 will still be up for consideration the final say as whether it will be conditional pardon, an absolute pardon will ultimately rely on the decision and consideration of the OP and the OES,” Clavano said.
Clavano pointed out that the BPP’s recommendation for clemency was in line with the DOJ’s goal to decongest over-crowded prisons in the country, specifically the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.
“When we talk about decongestion, the 300 (PDLs) will help of course, with the decongestion. We are again at 330 percent congestion rate sa NBP, and we are hoping that these 300 will at least contribute to the decongestion of the NBP,” he said.
When asked if there were high-profile inmates on the list, Clavano said “I haven’t seen the list. The list is currently being prepared by Usec. Deo Marco.”
