CHIZ SAYS PRESIDENTIAL POWER TO COMMUTE AND PARDON CONVICTS SHOULD BE MADE TRANSPARENT

Opposition senator Chiz Escudero today said the public should now become more vigilant and demand from PGMA to be transparent in using her presidential prerogative to commute and pardon any convict.

He said such presidential power, if not made transparent, is subject to abuse much to the detriment of the families of the victims.

Escudero, Chairman of the Senate Justice and Human Rights Committee reacted to the veiled release of controversial murder convict Claudio Teehankee Jr. last Friday which was only found out today.

"I don't think it was just to commute his sentence away from the public eyes. Though the president is given the absolute power to pardon and commute a sentence by the constitution, the public should demand for transparency and accountability so that the president wont have to succumb if at all to political pressure should her desire to pardon or commute anyone sentenced indeed being her agenda".

With only trickles of news about the pardon of Teehankee coming out, Escudero said there is no way for sure to ascertain whether the presidential power is being abused or not.

Escudero said there are pending bills in his committee now requiring the president, without constricting or limiting his power under the constitution, to at the very least, make public any pending cases being reviewed for pardon.

"Under these proposals, dapat isapubliko yan, magkaroon ng pagdinig kaugnay dyan o public haering o opportunity to respond at palaging dapat impormahan ang biktima para sa gayon makapagsabi naman sila na napatawad na namin ang taong yan."

He challenged PGMA to lift the veil of doubts from the people and come out with who else are in line for pardon from her.

"There should be no distinction between a high profile convict or an ordinary convict, the families of their respective victims ought to be given the chance to know of it and to air their respective side".