It’s PGMA's prerogative to grant executive clemency — Palace

MANILA, Oct. 8 (PNA) -– Malacanang on Tuesday said it is the prerogative of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to grant executive clemency to all convicts who have displayed good behavior in prison.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita made this statement in reaction to the release of Claudio Teehankee Jr. from jail whom critics claimed was special privilege given to the controversial murder convict.

“As Justice Secretary (Raul M. Gonzales) said, it is within the authority of the President to exercise her power under the Constitution to give clemency,” Ermita told reporters.

Teehankee Jr., who was convicted for the 1991 murders of 16-year-old Maureen Hultman and 21-year-old Roland John Chapman was released from the National Bilibid Prisons on Friday evening.

"There really is nothing special about it except for the fact that he is a prominent personality," Ermita said, adding that the Teehankee’s case, just like other prisoners, underwent a rigorous review.

In fact, he said, that as early as 1999, the Hultman family had agreed to a P6-million settlement with the Teehankees.

Under the terms of the settlement, the Hultmans would get the Teehankees' house in San Juan if the convict failed to pay the full amount.

“The Hultmans did not object when asked about the possibility of giving Mr. Teehankee pardon. He has served his time, and, therefore, they did not object when they were asked during the processing of his paper…That's a major factor in the President's decision," he added.

Press Secretary Jesus Dureza, for his part, pointed out that Teehankee was only one of 292 prisoners that were granted executive clemency in an order dated September 28.

Dureza said the reason for the release of Teehankee and to all other 292 prisoners is due to their compliance with regulations and processes that have been undertaken by the Bureau of Parole and Pardon.

In 2007, there were 465 prisoners that were granted executive clemency. (PNA)