MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte may only issue executive clemency or pardon to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Debold Sinas after he will be found guilty of the cases against him in relation to his controversial mañanita birthday party last May.
Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary Menardo Guevarra on Sunday said prosecutors still need to complete their investigation on the criminal and administrative cases slapped on Sinas.
“The DOJ/prosecutor has to complete the process of preliminary investigation. Executive clemency may come only after a finding of guilt. If there’s no finding of guilt, there’s no room for the application of executive clemency,” Guevarra said.
He added that President Duterte is “very much aware” that a case against the new PNP chief remains pending and is “merely indicating his intent to act with liberality, in consideration of General Sinas’ overall performance as a career police officer.”
“The DOJ will do what it is duty-bound to do, and the president may also do what he is constitutionally authorized to do,” Guevarra said.
In his public address on Saturday, President Duterte said he will take full responsibility for naming Sinas as new PNP chief despite the alleged violation of community quarantine protocol.
“Alam mo kasi ‘yang mañanita, it’s a religious, almost a religious ritual. Nakaugalian na talaga ng mga Pilipino. Hindi kasalanan ng pobreng Sinas na ‘yan na pumunta sila doon, hindi naman niya alam,” Duterte said.
“At kung may kasalanan siya doon, pardon na siya. Wala akong nakitang kasalanan na masama na may moral implications, may kasamang malisya, wala,” the Chief Executive added./PN
