President Duterte has vowed to use his power to pardon policemen and soldiers who will be charged in court for doing their job in the war against drugs and criminality.
Citing a provision in the Constitution that gives the President the power to grant pardon, Duterte said he will not hesitate to absolve 10 to 15 soldiers and policemen every day.
However, Duterte also said that he will help them only if they tell the truth. “(The) President can grant pardon, conditional or absolute; or grant amnesty with the concurrence of Congress. Ga-gamitin ko ‘yan. Maniwala kayo,” Duterte said during a fellowship dinner with his San Beda Law School batchmates in Malacañang Sunday.
He reminded policemen to do their duty and not fabricate evidence. “Do not lie to me. . . Mag-trabaho kayo. ‘Wag kayong mag-imbento. Do not fabricate evidence. I will hear you,” he said.
“And if you’re telling the truth, sabihin mo ako, ‘Utos ni Mayor Rody.’ Sabihin mo diyan sa judge, sabihin mo diyan sa piskal, sabihin mo sa Ombudsman, sabihin mo sa Human Rights. ‘Wag mong sabihin sa akin kasi alam ko na,” he added.
According to Duterte, he would even prepare pre-signed forms indicating he has pardoned them for their crimes and this can be easily obtained by members of law enforcement agencies. (ELENA L. ABEN)