Walang makakakuwestiyon sa absolute pardon na ibinigay ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte kay Robin Padilla.
“With respect to this kay Robin Padilla, the power of the President to extend pardon or parole to convicted person is absolute, nobody could question it. Kaya’t itong ginawa ni Presidente, that’s final,” ayon kay Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II sa Palace news conference.
Si Padilla ay na-convict sa kasong illegal possession of firearms noong panahon ng administrasyon ni dating Pangulong Fidel V. Ramos.
“Alam naman natin na tapos na ‘yung panahon ni Robin Padilla when he was a restless soul at that time, several years ago. Pero alam natin napakalaki ng ipinagbago niya so I think he deserves this absolute pardon,” ayon kay Aguirre.
Si Robin ay sumuporta sa kandidatura ni Duterte noong kampanya.
Samantala, matapos makakuha ng absolute pardon, naibalik na ang kanyang civil at political rights.
(Genalyn D. Kabiling)