Panelo: I didn’t recommend executive clemency for Sanchez, only referred letter

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Tuesday denied making a recommendation to release convicted rapist-murderer Antonio Sanchez from prison through executive clemency.

Panelo said at a news conference in Malacañang that he only referred to the Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP) the request of Sanchez’s family for early release of the former Laguna mayor.

“There is no part of this representation’s official communication asking for intervention. The referral letter speaks for itself,” said Panelo, who is also the chief presidential legal counsel and previously served as Sanchez's legal counsel.

“As I previously said, I have no contact with Mayor Sanchez.”

Sanchez was convicted in 1995 for raping and killing University of the Philippines Los Baños student Eileen Sarmenta and murdering her friend Allan Gomez.

The Palace spokesman added it was the policy of his office 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 concerns.

Panelo said he left to the BPP, as contained in the referral letter dated February 26, 2019, to evaluate Sanchez family’s request. The BPP denied Sanchez’s application for presidential pardon this year.

He also blasted a media report claiming he recommended executive clemency for Sanchez, saying it was erroneous, malicious and defamatory.

A recent Supreme Court decision gave a retroactive application to Republic Act 10592, which entitles select inmates reduced prison terms on account of good behavior.

It was earlier floated that among those who could have possibly benefited from the law was Sanchez, but Malacañang has since rejected this, saying convicts serving sentences for heinous crimes like the former mayor are not eligible for early release from prison. — MDM, GMA News