Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo brings the referral letter he sent the paroles board regarding Antonio Sanchez's case during Tuesday’s press briefing at the Palace. (Photo by Kristina Maralit)
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo merely referred Antonio Sanchez’s case to the Board of Pardons and Parole on 26 February 2019 for “evaluation” but did not endorse the rape-slay convict’s release.
The ex-Calauan, Laguna mayor, who hired Panelo as one of his seven counsels to defend him in the 1993 twin murder of University of the Philippines Los Baños students Eileen Sarmenta and Allan Gomez, applied for executive clemency. The convict’s daughter, Antonelvie, wrote Panelo regarding his father’s application.
Sanchez also raped Sarmenta before passing her on to his aides. The court sentenced him to seven life prison terms in 1995.
“In line with the President’s commitment for good governance, transparency and immediate action on matters that affect the welfare of the people, we are referring this matter to your good office for your evaluation and whatever appropriate action you may want to undertake under the premises,” Panelo’s letter to paroles board executive director Reynaldo Bayang read.
Three decades after the Marcopper mining disaster devastated Marinduque’s waterways, the province is again pressing the…
Housing is probably the biggest issue affecting people the world over.
Malacañang on Monday called for a more thorough investigation into the questioned flood control projects in Taguig…
The defense on Monday backed the move by senator-judges to exclude a prosecution witness who testified on the firearms…
“We request your good office to update us for record purposes and for whatever action this office may want to undertake.”
Bayang subsequently informed Panelo, through a letter dated 19 March 2019, that Sanchez’s petition for clemency is denied “citing the gravity of the offenses he has committed.”
Panelo said the referral letter—a form letter—was just one of thousands his office receives and responds to, the spokesperson said during Tuesday’s press briefing in Malacañang.
“My communication with Sanchez’s family has always been official in nature, nothing personal,” said Panelo. “Everything is on record.”
Panelo’s alleged hand in the release of his former client surfaced during the ongoing Senate inquiry on the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA ) law that almost freed the convicted mayor.
Sen. Bong Go revealed President Rodrigo Duterte himself ordered that Sanchez remain locked up while Bureau of Corrections chief Nicanor Faeldon was adamant that what he signed was a “memorandum of release,” not an actual release order.
“When the President asked for my opinion, I told him Sanchez is not qualified under the law,” Panelo said.
