MANILA – Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said he is ready to face the upcoming Senate hearing on the supposed release of convicted felons due to the law that shortens prison terms because of good behavior.
Panelo said in a press conference on Tuesday that he only referred the letter and did not recommend executive clemency for convicted rapist and murderer former Calauan Mayor Antonio Sanchez – Panelo’s former client and among the high profile inmates in the congressional probes.
“There is no part of this representation’s official communication asking for intervention. The referral letter speaks for itself. The application was referred to the (Bureau of Corrections) for its recommendation in accordance with the law,” said Panelo.
Panelo was among Sanchez’s lawyers in the 1993 rape-slay of UP Los Baños student Eileen Sarmenta, and the murder of her friend, Allan Gomez.
“All letters received by my office having the same tenor are referred to BuCor pursuant to the policy of the President to respond to all letters addressed to the (Office of the President,” he added.
Panelo was among Sanchez’s lawyers in the 1993 rape-slay of UP Los Baños student Eileen Sarmenta, and the murder of her friend, Allan Gomez.
“We have hundred similar requests and we refer the same to BuCor with standard referral letter,” the Presidential spokesperson further pointed out. “As I previously said, I have no contact with Mayor Sanchez.”
Panelo also said that he left to the BPP, as contained in the referral letter dated February 26, 2019, to evaluate Sanchez family’s request. The BPP denied Sanchez’s application for presidential pardon this year.
During Tuesday’s Senate hearing on the controversial Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law, lawyer Reynaldo Bayang, BPP Executive Director 3, said Panelo made the referral to BPP early this year.
“We request that your good office update us for record purposes and for whatever action this office may want to undertake consistent with law and the policy of the President for good governance,” Panelo said in his letter addressed to Bayang.
Bayang added that he also received letters from former Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos, Vice Mayor Angelo Alonte of Biñan City, Laguna, and former Laguna Governor ER Ejercito in connection with Sanchez’s bid for executive clemency./PN
