DOJ urges public to move on from Pemberton issue
Photo Credit: DOJ Official Website
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has called on the public to move on from issues related to President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to grant absolute pardon to homicide convict U.S. Marine LCpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque earlier said that a possible reason for Duterte’s pardon of Pemberton is to assure the Philippines of a COVID-19 vaccine from the US. Guevarra was asked to react to this.
“I cannot speculate on the president’s motives. He has explained his reason for granting pardon to Mr. Pemberton. For me, that’s the end of the story. Let’s move on,” Guevarra said.
After he was pressed for more questions, Guevarra said that he considers the case of Pemberton closed and emphasized that he defers to the president’s personal judgment on matters within his constitutional prerogative.
Pemberton was convicted in 2015 for the killing of Filipino transgender woman Jennifer Laude in 2014. Duterte pardoned Pemberton this Monday.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque earlier said that a possible reason for Duterte’s pardon of Pemberton is to assure the Philippines of a COVID-19 vaccine from the US. Guevarra was asked to react to this.
“I cannot speculate on the president’s motives. He has explained his reason for granting pardon to Mr. Pemberton. For me, that’s the end of the story. Let’s move on,” Guevarra said.
After he was pressed for more questions, Guevarra said that he considers the case of Pemberton closed and emphasized that he defers to the president’s personal judgment on matters within his constitutional prerogative.
Pemberton was convicted in 2015 for the killing of Filipino transgender woman Jennifer Laude in 2014. Duterte pardoned Pemberton this Monday.
