Understanding pardon, amnesty
Posted by Mai on October 1st, 2007
The Manila Times Internet Edition
Understanding pardon, amnesty
By Jomar Canlas, Reporter
First of two parts
(Editor’s note: The Sunday Times issue discussed why granting pardon to former President Joseph Estrada will be good for him and President Gloria Arroyo, since it will somehow give an angelic face to the latter, whose image has been tainted by extrajudicial violence and alleged anomalies in a broadband project with China. For Estrada, pardon will give him the mobility to effectively orchestrate the moves of his forces for the 2010 elections.)
PARDON has become the contentious issue for detained President Joseph Estrada after he was convicted of plunder by the Sandiganbayan Special Division on September 12.
Article 7, Section 19 of the 1987 Constitution speaks of the powers of the President to grant executive clemency to prisoners who were convicted or still under trial. “Except in cases of impeachment or as otherwise provided in this Constitution, the President may grant reprieves, commutations and pardons, and remit fines and forfeitures, after conviction by final judgment.â€
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The Manila Times Internet Edition
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