Arroyo warns vs inclusion of recidivists in amnesty grant

Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, whose nine-year stint in Malacanang was rocked by several coup attempts, on Tuesday warned against recidivists and unrepentant offenders who may benefit from the Aquino government’s amnesty grant to suspected mutineers. As of posting time, the House of Representatives was deliberating on the floor Proclamation 75 issued by President Benigno Simeon Aquino III. The proclamation will only be effective upon the concurrence of the majority of the members of the Congress, voting separately. On Tuesday afternoon, the Senate voted 14-1-1 to concur with the amended proclamation. In a statement, Arroyo recognized that the issuance of Proclamation No. 75 is the President’s prerogative. She said granting amnesty is similar to the prerogative she exercised when, during her Presidency, she granted pardon to Capt. Gerardo Gambala and Capt. Milo Maestrocampo, who were both involved in an attempt to topple her administration in July 2003. However, she said she only gave pardon when the soldiers pleaded guilty, were convicted, and publicly apologized for their offense. Arroyo said she was gratified that the Aquino proclamation penalizes the amnestied officers by barring them from reentry into the police or Armed Forces, and by maintaining their civil liability for their actions. "This is clearly an acknowledgment that the mutineers indeed committed wrongdoings, it may be recalled, put hundreds of lives at risk, including the Australian Ambassador and other foreign dignitaries and visitors," she said, referring to the July 27, 2003 Oakwood Mutiny. Among the beneficiaries of the amnesty proclamation is Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, a participant in the Oakwood Mutiny. Arroyo said granting amnesty or pardon is truly a constructive action when it is motivated by a laudable objective, such as the reestablishment of national unity. "But let us remember that it is also a singular action of executive generosity which should be dispensed with great caution, taking care always to exclude recidivists," Arroyo said without naming names. - Amita O. Legaspi/KBK, GMANews.TV