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Pinoy Abroad

Pinay 'drug mule' in Thailand ineligible for pardon


A Filipina sentenced to life imprisonment in Thailand is not eligible to seek royal pardon from the King of Thailand, as she has appealed her case before the Thai appellate court. The Philippine Embassy in Thailand relayed this to the Bacolod City council, adding Filipina Flory May Talaban, 28, cannot avail of a Philippine-Thailand agreement allowing the transfer of prisoners at this time. Talaban, 28, of Bacolod City, is now imprisoned in the Ngam Wong Wan Central Women's Institution for alleged illegal drug possession, news site Visayan Daily Star reported Friday. Edgar Badajos, Consul General of the Philippine Embassy in Thailand, said Talaban is ineligible to apply for royal pardon because the guidelines issued by the Thai Department of Corrections states that “a prisoner may submit a petition for royal pardon only after he or she finished all court proceedings [including appeal]." Bajados addressed the letter to City Council secretary Nilo Alejandrino, in response to a resolution by Councilor Caesar Distrito seeking assistance for Talaban. Prison transfer to PHL Also, Bajados said Talaban is barred from applying for prison transfer under the Transfer of Sentence Agreement between the Philippines and Thailand. He said one of the criteria for applying for transfer is that the judgment must be final and no other legal proceedings related to the offense or any other offense is pending in any court in Thailand. If Talaban wishes to apply for transfer, she has to either drop her appeal or wait until after the court process has been completely exhausted and the decision becomes final and executory, Bajados said. Meanwhile, Badajos said the Philippine Embassy in Thailand will consult with Talaban's parents on what legal option they wish to take for their daughter. He also assured they will support whatever decision the family will make. — JE/LBG, GMA News

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