Palace denies getting back at Aquinos

MANILA, Philippines - A Malacañang official on Monday defended the presidential pardon granted to one of the convicted soldiers in the double murder of former senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. and Rolando Galman in 1983, saying that it passed the normal and proper procedures just like other previous clemencies. Deputy Presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said that Palace officials, however, understood the sentiments of the Aquino family who may have felt bad about the President's decision to release the two convicts. Fajardo made the statement a day after Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III branded the presidential pardon as a form of vengeance by the administration against his family. The deputy presidential spokesperson denied that Malacañang was getting back at the Aquinos by granting pardon to the two convicts. The Aquino family has joined groups calling for President Arroyo’s resignation. Fajardo insisted that the pardon granted to Pablo Martinez last week underwent a long process and the board gave no special treatment to his requests. Martinez, after more than 20 years in prison, walked free on Feb. 5. Martinez was one of the 14 convicts who were sentenced to double life sentences for the Aquino-Galman double murder and sought executive clemency from President Arroyo in August 2008. Public Attorney's Office chief Persida Acosta, who assisted the convicted soldiers, said they were already qualified for presidential pardon after having served closed to 24 years in prison. - GMANews.TV