Tarlac asks pardon for political prisoners

TARLAC CITY: The City Council here is asking President Rodrigo Duterte to grant absolute pardon to Filipino political prisoners following the release of United States Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton, who was convicted in 2014 for the murder of Filipina transgender Jennifer Laude.

Sponsored by Councilor Emily Ladera-Facunla, head of the Committee on Human Rights, the resolution asks Duterte to consider granting pardon to the prisoners who “were convicted on the basis of mere fabricated cases,” as well as those with lesser crimes and those who are already in the twilight years “in the true spirit of fairness and humanitarian consideration.”