Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo has denied intervention in the former Calauan, Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez’s executive clemency plea.
Panelo has reiterated, during a media briefing on Tuesday (Sept. 3), that the letter sent by Sanchez’s family for an executive clemency request is only a referral letter and not a recommendation.
“I stand by my statement that I have nothing to do, no intervention, nothing whatsoever, it was a referral letter which is consistent with our duty in the office to refer all letters to appropriate agencies that should require their evaluation or action,” he said.
The referral letter was sent to the Bureau of Pardons and Parole (BPP) last February 26, 2019. This was revealed during the Senate hearing on the controversial good conduct time allowance (GCTA) on Tuesday morning.
Based on BPP’s response, the plea of Sanchez’s family was denied due to the heavy crime committed by the former mayor.
Panelo also said he has not been in touch with Sanchez since 1995. However, he admitted that he met with Sanchez’s family in Malacañang.
Meanwhile, Harriet Demetriou, the retired judge who sentenced Sanchez in 1995 said she does not believe that Panelo has no idea about the possible release of the convicted former mayor.—AAC (with reports from Rosalie Coz)
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