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There is
much furor in view of the announcement by the prison
chaplain that former representative Romeo Jalosjos may
be released on December 16. I would like to make this
very clear: assuming the release takes place, this would
not be a new presidential executive clemency.
Mr.
Jalosjos’s sentence was commuted on April 30, 2007; the
sentence was reduced to 16 years, 3 months and 3 days.
Unknown to the public and to many of the critics of the
President, under existing laws, including many others
like Act 1533, Act 1524, Act 4103, RA 1955, PD 968, Art.
97 of the Revised Penal Code, Act 2489 as amended, and
related rules governing prison inmates, it would appear
that, indeed, Mr. Jalosjos may have earned the credits
which would merit his release on December 16.
However,
I have ordered a further review of Mr. Jalosjos’s
records vis-à-vis all rules and regulations and related
enactments so that we assure the justice system of the
land that if Mr. Jalosjos is eventually released, our
legal moorings will not be assailed.
Issues
have also cropped up regarding the suggested plan to
transfer the renegade group of Senator Trillanes to the
National Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa. I’m sure this
would raise a lot of hue and cry among those sympathetic
to the cause of these destabilizers. But if we go by the
book, we should be guided by the Prison Manual that
allows transfers of inmates from local jails to the
national penitentiary. It must be remembered that under
the law, “inmates” is a generic term that may refer to a
detainee or prisoner. It must not, therefore, be
confused that only convicted persons can be brought to
the national penitentiary but also those undergoing
trial, if circumstances warrant such a transfer.
The
purpose of such transfer is safekeeping for the security
of the prisoners as well as the assurance that there
will be no chance of escape. It must be recalled that
Mr. Jalosjos, et al., has a history of escapes even from
inside military camps.
***
President Arroyo began her historic visit to Spain on
December 1 with a brief stopover in Lourdes, France,
where she prayed for peace in our land and for the
recovery of the First Gentleman from a critical heart
surgery. In Spain, treading the footsteps of her father,
the late President Diosdado Macapagal, many years ago,
she met with King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia,
officials of the Spanish government, businessmen and
investors; closed additional investments of some P16.2
billion; and signed a number of accords covering various
mutual concerns which ushers in a new plane of mutual
cooperation between our two countries.
From
Madrid, the President and her entourage went straight to
London
where she was again accorded a royal welcome by Queen
Elizabeth II herself. In their 30-minute private
meeting, the President thanked Queen Elizabeth II for
the warm hospitality and protection shown by the British
to the more than 150,000 Filipinos living and working in
that country. She was also welcomed by the large
Filipino community in London, which expressed support
for her presidency and urged her to continue with the
economic success of our country.
From
London, the President went on a voyage of mercy to
Kuwait,
where she again was accorded a private audience with
royalty—the Kuwaiti Emir, Sheik Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah,
who granted the President’s personal request for the
commutation of the death sentence on overseas Filipino
worker Marilou Ranario for allegedly killing her Arab
employer. Her visit to
Lourdes
must have done miracles, indeed.
***
It was a
hectic week, a working trip to renew centuries-old ties,
and galvanizing relationships with our global partners
in our quest for improving our capabilities in meeting
the challenges of a fast-evolving world. The President
was on a mission of hope. A far noble walk from that one
from the Makati court to the Pen, and it is the real
world she was addressing. |
