Monday 11th April, 2011
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Monday hinted that she may recommend to President Benigno Aquino III to grant pardon to the five men convicted for the killing of former Marcos-era Constabulary officer Rolando Abadilla.
Speaking to reporters, De Lima said she is "seriously considering" making such recommendation to the president.
"I think there is no other remedy because the Supreme Court had denied their motion for reconsideration, so they are hoping for a pardon. I know this case because when I was with the Commission on the Human Rights, I monitored this case," said De Lima.
Last week, the families of SPO2 Cesar Fortuna, Rameses de Jesus, Lenido Lumanog, Joel de Jesus, and Augusto Santos sent De Lima a letter seeking presidential pardon for the five men, collectively known as the "Abadilla 5."
They were convicted by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court in August 1999 for Abadilla's killing in 1996. The guilty verdict was sustained by the Court of Appeals and more recently, the Supreme Court.
In February this year, the high tribunal denied with finality the five men's appeal.
Thus, De Lima said the only recourse the five men can avail themselves of is a pardon from the president. "Legally, there is nothing we can do. But for humanitarian reasons, maybe we can help them by recommending for their pardon," she said.
She added that the allegations that the five men have been "fall guys" and may have been tortured into confessing to the crime are factors in recommending pardon.
"If you talk to the family of the Abadilla 5, they are saying something that is worth looking into. They're claiming that they are innocent and that they are fall guys, and I think this has basis. This is not a conclusion, this is just an opinion that the case needs to be looked into," said De Lima.