Palace 'mulls' Maguan family objection to Rolito Go’s release

MANILA, Philippines — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is "considering" the objection of the Maguan family to the release of convicted killer Rolito Go, but Malacañang maintained Saturday this is no guarantee that the release will be scrapped. Deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez Jr. also brushed aside allegations of a double standard in the issuance of a executive clemency for convicted wrongdoers, in which the rich get first crack at pardon. "Nasa pangulo ‘yan. That power has been vested to the president by our Constitution which was ratified by majority of Filipinos in 1987. Nasa presidente ‘yan, pinagaaralan yan, antayin natin ang susunod na hakbangin (It's all up to the president. That prerogative was vested in her in the 1987 Constitution, which majority of Filipinos ratified. It's all up to the president. She will study it, let's wait for her decision)," he said on government-run dzRB radio. The family of Eldon Maguan, who was shot dead by Go in a traffic altercation in 1991, had objected to Go's pardon and release. The row came on the heels of questions surrounding the sudden and "secret" release of Claudio Teehankee Jr, who was convicted of murder in 1995 for shooting three teenagers in Makati in 1991. On the other hand, Golez scored some sectors claiming double standard in the country's penitentiary. "Di tama na sinasabi na they divide ang mga tao na papaboran ang isa laban sa isa. Nagkakataon siguro all these are eligible for pardon or parole. Lahat na yan pinagaaralan ng isang organisasyon na nag-aaral nito (It's not right to say we divide the inmates into favored and not favored. It just so happened all of them are eligible for pardon or parole. The proper agency studies their cases)," he said. - GMANews.TV