DOJ to recommend 300 PDLs to be granted executive clemency

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to recommend to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. around 300 qualified persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) to be granted executive clemency as part of the government’s jail decongestion program. 

The President’s decision on the recommendation is expected to be issued on his birthday next week. 

The DOJ has already strengthened the processing of documents for PDLs set to be pardoned. 

DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said he has tasked the Parole and Probation Administration (PPA) and the Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP) to give them the names and the number of qualified PDLs eligible for executive clemency.

“In eight days’ time, the President himself will be celebrating his 65th birthday. And I asked the PPA and the BPP within our family to prepare the list of people who may be pardoned or released through executive clemency,” Remulla said.

“People who are incarcerated are given a second chance in life through a process given to us by the law, and through the Parole and Probation Administration, and of course the Board of Pardons and Parole,” he added.

In an interview, DOJ Spokesperson Mico Clavano confirmed they are set to submit the list of PDLs eligible for executive clemency this week. —Report from Mela Lesmoras/KC-ag