‘No assurance of clemency before or during Pope visit’
MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang on Tuesday said it was unsure whether the list of convicts to be pardoned by President Benigno Aquino III would be released in time for Pope Francis’ visit to the country.
Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.
INQUIRER PHOTO
The Pontiff is set to arrive in the Philippines on Thursday. He will be in the country for five days.
Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., during a Palace briefing, said the recommended list was already submitted by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.
However, as of Tuesday, the Office of the President was still looking into the list.
“Wala pa tayong impormasyon kung kelan magaganap yan pagka’t ang batid lang natin ay pinag-aaralan pa ang rekomendasyon sa kasalukuyan (We still do not have information on when that will happen because what we know is that the recommendation is still being studied),” Coloma said.
Earlier reports said the executive clemency of inmates, especially those who are old and seriously ill, would be approved by Aquino as a gift to Pope Francis.
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