De Lima set to submit list of inmates for executive clemency

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Justice Secretary Leila de Lima will submit to President Benigno Aquino on Wednesday the list of names recommended for executive clemency.

The executive clemency will be given to elderly and terminally ill inmates as a gift to Pope Francis who will be in the country next week.

She said there are already names of elderly and terminally ill inmates being reviewed by the Bureau of Correction (BuCor) Management and a technical working group from the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“My self-imposed deadline for submission to the Office of the President is on Wednesday and the deadline I imposed on BuCor Management and our technical staff is Tuesday,” De Lima said.

Initially, there are at least 80 names under review but the President wants to increase the number of recipients.

Under Section 19, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution, the President, except in cases of impeachment, may grant reprieves, communications and pardons, and remit fines and forfeitures, after conviction by the final judgment.