No immediate granting of pardon for Magdalos - Palace exec

MANILA, Philippines - A Malacañang official said Friday that no immediate granting of presidential pardon is forthcoming for the nine Magdalo soldiers who were convicted for their participation in the short-lived Oakwood mutiny in July 2003. In an interview, Deputy presidential spokesperson Anthony Golez said not all those who have been convicted for a particular crime can be granted presidential pardon as quickly as it (pardon) had been requested. "Hindi naman po marapat na kahit sino na lamang na ma-convict ay idaan sa paghingi ng paumanhin sa press conference. Hindi naman pwede na bigyan na lamang sila ng clemency dail lang nagsalita sila sa media," Golez said. (I think it's not right to assume that anyone who has been convicted will ask for pardon through a press conference. They (soldiers) could not be granted clemency just because they talked to the media.) Golez said that the Magdalo soldiers should first bear the consequences of their action before the granting of presidential pardon be even considered. "Bago namin sabihin kung dapat ba silang patawarin o hindi, dapat dumaan sila sa proseso kung talagang hihingi sila ng pardon. Hindi natin pwedeng isakrispisyo ang justice dahil bigla lang silang nag-sorry," he said. (Before we even think of granting them pardon or not, they should first undergo the complete process if they would really seek pardon. We cannot sacrifice justice just because they said sorry.) Earlier in the day, the convicted junior military officers held a press conference wherein they sought forgiveness for taking part in the July 27, 2003 mutiny. "We know in our hearts that we are guilty and we accept the verdict of the court. We undoubtedly made a mistake. We apologize to the people...we ask for forgiveness for our rebellion," Army Capt. Gerardo Gambala said. "I am applying for pardon...we are applying for pardon. What I can do is ask for mercy from (the) authorities and God. The verdict is hard but we have to accept it...if they will give me pardon, I will accept it," Gambala added. It was Gambala, one of the core leaders of the Magdalo group, who read the statement signed by eight other officers who were meted jail sentences ranging from 6 to 40 years. A report from QTV's Balitanghali newscast said that the convicted coup plotters have already drafted a letter to President Gloria Macagapal Arroyo requesting that she grant them pardon. On Tuesday, the Makati Regional Trial Court sentenced Gambala and Capt. Milo Maestrecampo to reclusion perpetua or 20 to 40 years imprisonment. On the other hand, Army Captains Alvin Ebreo, Laurence Louis Somera, Albert Baloloy and John Andres, 1Lt. Florentino Somera, 2Lt. Kristoffer Bryan Yasay and 1Lt. Cleo Dongga were sentenced to prision mayor or 6 to 12 years in jail. The court verdict came a week after they entered a guilty plea, changing their original "not guilty" plea when they were first arraigned for the crime of coup d' etat. - GMANews.TV