Board of Pardons and Parole: Panelo wrote letter referring Sanchez request for executive clemency

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 1:28 p.m.) — President Rodrigo Duterte’s chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo wrote to the Board of Pardons and Parole to refer a request of the Sanchez family for executive clemency for Antonio, a former mayor and a convicted rapist and murderer.

BPP executive director Reynaldo Bayang revealed this at the resumption of the legislative inquiry into the controversial implementation of Good Conduct and Time Allowance for detainees and prisoners on Tuesday.

In a letter dated February 26, 2019, Panelo, also Duterte's spokesperson, referred the request of Marie Antonelvie Sanchez—his former client’s daughter—for executive clemency.

Executive clemency can be in the form of a reprieve, an absolute pardon, a conditional pardon or commutation of sentence and can be granted by the president of the Philippines upon the BPP's recommendation.

“In line with the president’s commitment for good governance, transparency and immediate action on matters that affect the welfare of the people, we are referring this matter to your good office for your evaluation and whatever appropriate action you may want to undertake under the premises,” Panelo's letter to Bayang read.

RELATED: Panelo denies hand in looming release of Sanchez, his former client convicted of rape and murder

The letter added: “We request that your good office update us for record purposes and whatever action this office may want to undertake consistent with law and the policy of the president for good government.”

Panelo earlier denied involvement in the reported release of Sanchez, who was convicted for the rape-slay of 21-year-old University of the Philippines Los Baños student Mary Eileen Sarmenta and the killing of her friend 19-year-old Allan Gomez.

He said in August that he had stopped being Sanchez's lawyer even before the Supreme Court affirmed the former Calauan, Laguna mayor's conviction.

"I think that (claim) is far-fetched because... I had withdrawn even before the appeal was made," he added.

Panelo also said there is no need for anyone to intervene to release Sanchez if the former mayor is qualified for parole under the law. 

"If the law as it is crafted says that all the inmates are qualified to be released, then that's what the law says... there is the rule of law and we have to abide by the rule of law," the presidential spokesman said then.

The Board of Pardons and Parole dismissed the request.

Panelo: Sanchez letter among thousands of referrals

In a press briefing Tuesday, Panelo denied that he tried to intervene in the case of his former client.

“It has been the standard operating procedure of the Office of the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel to respond to all letters received by it and refer them to the appropriate department or agency which has the authority to act on the writer’s concern,” Panelo said.

The president’s mouthpiece stressed the referral letters of his office have the same content save for the names.

“Everyday, we receive letters coming from all walks of life. All of them, we respond, because the policy of the president is to respond to all letters addressed to the Office of the President. The referral letter of the daughter (of Sanchez) to the BPP is just one of the thousands of referrals has made to various government instrumentalities,” he added, as he showed the referral letters.

Panelo also read the response of the BPP, informing his office that the board resolved the motion of reconsideration filed by Sanchez and reiterated the board’s resolution denying the petition for executive clemency due to the gravity of offense.

In a response dated April 11, Panelo wrote: “We acknowledge receipt of the letter and appreciate your prompt response.”

Panelo also confirmed meeting with the family of Sanchez in his office at Malacañang but he insisted that he never had “personal communication” with them.