Over 1,000 PDLs already recommended for executive clemency

More than 1,000 names of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) have been submitted to the Office of the Executive Secretary for executive clemency, including those recommended in September 2022, according to the Justice Department on Tuesday.

Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano said they have followed up on the request with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.

“Well, we’re not sure exactly what the date will be kung kailan ia-approve ni Executive Secretary Bersamin,” he said in an ambush interview.

“Although nag-follow up na po kami kay ES Bersamin and we told him na dahil nga may suporta na tayo ni President Bongbong Marcos na sana ma-release na kaagad ‘yung executive clemency na nirecommend pa natin noong September,” he added.

(We followed up already with ES Bersamin and we told him that since we already have the support of the President, hopefully, the executive clemency we recommended last September could be approved already.)

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had previously directed the DOJ to continue releasing PDLs who are qualified for parole to decongest the country’s correctional facilities.

Release of PDLs

Meanwhile, Clavano said that 500 PDLs are set to be released on January 23 at the New Bilibid Prison, the highest number of PDLs for the monthly releases.

The Justice spokesperson said that almost 4,000 PDLs have been released so far.

“So we’re near the quota already perhaps we can already increase that quota since we have the support of the President. Of course, it will go through the proper processes and we have to make sure that the ones that are released are those that are really qualified and eligible for release,” he said.

Clavano also said the transportation of PDLs from the minimum security compound of the NBP to Nueva Ecija is being prepared.

“We hope na matutuloy talaga sa February. The transportation of PDLs is being prepared as we speak. We’re going to use buses to transport the PDLs,” he said.—AOL, GMA Integrated News