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Friday, March 29, 2024

Pres. Marcos turns 65 today, Speaker leads House well-wishers

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The House of Representatives led by Speaker Martin G. Romualdez on Monday sent their birthday greetings to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who turns 65 today.

TURNING 65. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers a speech at the reopening of the Museo Ilocos Norte in Laoag City on Sunday, which was also graced by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and his son, Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos (below). Presidential photos

This developed as the Public Attorney’s Office is hoping for the release of 300 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) through a presidential pardon, often granted on the sitting Chief Executive’s birthday.

PAO Chief Persida Acosta welcomed the pronouncement of the Department of Justice that it would submit a list of 300 prisoners who are qualified for clemency on Sept. 13.

At the Palace, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles told reporters the preparations for the natal day of the country’s 17th President were still being discussed and that she “has no information as of this moment.”

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office previously said it would launch a nationwide feeding program today to mark Mr. Marcos’ 65th birthday and first in office as President.

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“Warmest greetings, Your Excellency, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr., on the occasion of your 65th birthday!” the House message read.

“Upon your shoulders lay the hopes and dreams of 112 million Filipinos. We, the Members of the House of Representatives of the 19th Congress, are behind you all the way as we work together to uplift the lives of our countrymen.

“Proceed in this noble endeavor with our fervent prayers and wholehearted support for Your Excellency’s continued success,” Romualdez—Mr. Marcos’ cousin—and the lawmakers added.

TURNING 65. He then flew back to Manila on Monday for a Cabinet meeting in Malacanang, where Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio stopped him for a selfie ahead of the President’s 65th birthday today. OVP photo

“May God continue to bless you with good health, wisdom, and compassion, as well as the strength and conviction to provide solutions to the lingering problems that continuously beset our country today. Mabuhay!”

Meanwhile, Acosta was optimistic about good news for the 300 prisoners, mostly elderly and infirm persons who would be prioritized for pardon.

She said she was to meet with Bureau of Corrections director general Gerald Bantag and the chief of Board of Pardons and Parole on Monday afternoon to discuss and finalize the list.

“I wholeheartedly believe and have faith that there is a good morning for the Philippines because I can see the government’s actions on the people who deserve our help,” she said.

“There are developments that must be accepted by those who filed the complaints (against these 300 PDLs). They have served their sentence, and they are already sick and old,” she added.

Acosta said Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla tasked the PAO and BPP to finalize the list that will be submitted for the approval of the President.

Executive clemency refers to the commutation of sentence, conditional pardon, and absolute pardon that may be granted by the President upon recommendation of the BPP.

Absolute pardon is the total extinction of the criminal liability of a PDL that will result in the full restoration of civil rights.

On the other hand, a PDL who has served at least half of the maximum original prison term may apply for conditional pardon.

A commutation of sentence may be granted by the President after a review of the BPP to determine if the minimum requirement that at least one-third of the definite aggregate prison term (without minimum and maximum period) or half of the minimum of indeterminate (with minimum and maximum period) of the aggregate prison term have been served.

It translates into 10 years for PDL sentenced to one reclusion perpetua (20 years and 1 day to 40 years) so long as the crime is not among those considered heinous.

Those convicted of heinous crimes committed after Jan, 1, 1994 and who have served at least 15 years of a sentence for reclusion perpetua may also apply for commutation.

Likewise, those who have served at least 18 years of reclusion perpetua for drug charges, kidnapping for ransom or other violation of the laws on terrorism, plunder, and transnational crimes; and those who have served 25 years and were originally sentenced to death penalty but saw their sentence automatically reduced to reclusion perpetua may apply.

Also eligible to apply are PDL sentenced to a “definite” prison term of 40 years and who have served at least 13 years.

A prisoner released on parole or conditional pardon is placed under the supervision of a probation and parole officer.

The Philippines abolished the death penalty for the second time in 2008.

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