‘Act of an American lackey,’ Makabayan bloc says of Duterte’s pardon of Pemberton

MANILA, Philippines — The Makabyan bloc in the House of Representatives on Monday slammed President Rodrigo Duterte’s granting of “absolute pardon” to US Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton, who was convicted for the death of Filipino transgender woman Jennifer Laude.

Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite called the move “an act of an American lackey,” saying that the supposed “connivance between Malacañang and the United States government ensured” that the pending appeal in the court from Laude’s family would “not prosper.”

“Clearly the Palace gives more value to being in the good graces of the United States rather than give justice to its own citizens,” Gaite said in a statement.

“This absolute pardon is an injustice to Jennifer Laude, an injustice to the Filipino people, and a mockery of our national dignity and sovereignty!” he added.

Pemberton’s supposed early release was based on deductions on his jail time, brought by the controversial good conduct time allowance (GCTA).

But Gaite argued that GCTA remains to be suspended and “thus should not have been accepted by the court.”

“The people thus can only rely on their own resolve. Tulad noong 1991 noong pinatalsik ng mamamayan ang US Bases, ang mga mamamayang nagmamahal sa katarungan, kalayaan, at demokrasya ang muling magpapatalsik sa mga tropang Kano sa bansa,” Gaite said.

Meanwhile, Gabriela Partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas said that, by granting pardon to Pemberton, Duterte has committed “treason.”

“Pemberton’s guilt in the death of Jennifer Laude is loud and clear. This move by President Duterte is an outright disregard for the respect of the Philippine justice system and an affront to our sovereignty,” Brosas said.

“Pardoning such heinous crime is clearly an evidence of betrayal of public trust,” the lawmaker added.

Bayan Muna Rep. Eufemia Cullamat likewise echoed Brosas, saying that the move disregarded the country’s sovereignty.

“The low estimate and even worse treatment of us Filipinos by American soldiers in our own land is an issue concerning the honor of the whole country,” Cullamt said in Filipino.

[Original statement in Filipino: “Ang mababang pagtingin at masahol na pagtrato ng mga sundalong Amerikano sa ating mga Pilipino sa sarili nating bayan ay usapin ng dangal ng buong bayan.”]

Kabataan Partylist Rep. Sarah Elago, meanwhile, pointed out that Pemberton was given absolute pardon while many political prisoners in the country continued to suffer.

“He [Duterte] made it a priority to release an American soldier who’s killer while so many political prisoners locked up merely because of fabricated cases,” she said. “Those who fight for human rights and the critics of Duterte are being made to face fabricated cases and imprisoned and could not be released even in the context of a pandemic and other humanitarian considerations.”

[Original statement in Filipino: “Inuna pa niya ang paglaya ng sundalong Amerikanong mamamatay-tao samantalang naparaming bilanggong pulitikal ang nasa kulungan dahil lamang sa gawa-gawang kaso. Ang mga lumalaban lamang para sa mga karapatan pantao at kritiko ni Duterte ay ginawan ng mga gawa gawang kaso at ikinulong, at hindi mapalaya kahit pa man sa konteksto ng pandemya at iba pang makataong konsiderasyon.”]

In a televised speech, Duterte said he had decided to grant Pemberton absolute pardon because the Philippines “did not treat him fairly.”

“It is not the fault of Pemberton [his good behavior] was not counted, because we should allow him [to have] the good character presumption because no marines reported that he was misbehaving,” Duterte said, speaking partly in Filipino.

He said he summoned Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and told them: “Correct me if I’m wrong, but this is what I think of the case. We have not treated Pemberton fairly.”

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