VACC HITS PARDON FOR GERIATRIC FELONS

AN anti-crime group yesterday deplored Malacanang's new policy of
granting pardon and clemency to convicts 70 years old and above who
are serving time for various heinous offenses.

In a hastily called press conference in Makati city, Volunteers
Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) chairman Dante Jimenez called on
Malacanang to recall its memorandum ordering the release of convicted
big-time illegal drug dealer Maxima Cristobal, alias Dona Mameng, 70.

Jimenez said Cristobal's release does not bode well for the
government's anti-drug campaign.

VACC said this "sweeping and general policy" of turning loose
senior-citizen convicts would result to demoralization in the ranks of
law enforcement agencies as well as among the families of their victims.

"We are asking President Arroyo to reconsider this policy, but failing
to do so we will file a petition at the Supreme Court to void the
order since it is the highest legal authority in the land," Jimenez
said.

He said this development could even goad victims or their families to
use extra-judicial means to obtain justice for themselves.

Jimenez added that the government should be more discriminating in
giving out pardons and should thoroughly check the background of
potential candidates for pardon. He said even those above 70 years are
still capable of illegal activities as borne out by several arrests
made by the police.

VACC said there is no problem if those released have been convicted of
only minor crimes but drug peddling, he stressed, is a serious crime
that deserves the condemnation of society and the full force of the
law. He said the situation is sending the wrong signal to criminals
and endangering society.

"What Malacanang is doing might even encourage other criminal groups
to use those who are 70 years old and above in perpetrating their
nefarious deeds. Even terrorists groups might use the same tactics to
evade authorities," Jimenez said.

He said Cristobal's release was effected through a memorandum signed
by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita upon the orders of President
Arroyo and coursed through Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez and Bureau
of Corrections director Vicente Vinarao last Nov. 15.

The anti-crime group also criticized the apparent effort to keep
Cristobal's release from the media and the public. Jimenez said they
only learned of Cristobal's pardon on Tuesday when she had actually
been released several days ago.

Another VACC official, who declined to be named or to name names, said
they received information from unimpeachable sources that money was
involved in Cristobal's release. "P100,000 per recommendation for
pardon or clemency para sa mga na-convict sa heinous crime. Pera-pera
lang ito," the official said.

The official added that they would ask Congress to investigate and
stop this "nefarious transaction" which is being fueled by drug money.

The group said that they are also planning to release a list of
convicts, some of whom were convicted of heinous crimes, who have been
granted pardon by Malacanang.

At the time of her release, Cristobal was serving a life term at the
Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong after being convicted
by a Makati court for illegal possession of drugs worth some P3
million in 1994. She was also identified as the mastermind in the
killing of Engr. Jaime Jimenez, brother of the VACC chairman.