President Rodrigo Duterte has granted absolute pardon to the United States Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddyboy Locsin Jr.
“Cutting matters short over what constitutes time served, and since where he was detained was not in the prisoner’s control—and to do justice—the President has granted an absolute pardon to Pemberton. Here at the Palace,” Locsin said in a tweet.
Last week, an Olongapo court issued an early release order for Pemberton. He was convicted in 2014 for killing transwoman Jennifer Laude in Olongapo City.
In a document released by the Olongapo Court last September 1, Pemberton is entitled to the Good Conduct Time Allowance law or GCTA thus paving the way for his early release.
“Accused Pemberton has a total accumulated time served with entitlement of GCTA of ten years, one month and ten days, which is more than the ten years maximum penalty imposed by this court and affirmed by the Court of Appeals,” the order said.
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The court also noted Pemberton’s payment of civil liability to the family of the victim.
The Laude family has received Php4,650,250.00 from Pemberton.
“The partial motion for reconsideration of accused L/Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton is GRANTED the Director-General of the Bureau of Corrections is directed to release L/Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton from detention unless he is being held for some other lawful cause or causes,” the order stated.
The lawyer of Laude filed a motion for reconsideration to stop Pemberton’s release.
Atty. Virgie Suarez appealed that Pemberton should’ve served in the National Bilibid Prison and shouldn’t have invoked the Visiting Forces Agreement or VFA.
“His conduct was never put to test as he has never joined other convicts. Had he served his sentence in the National Bilibid, maybe his application for good conduct would have some basis,” Suarez said.
Pemberton was sentenced by an Olongapo Court of up to 10 years in prison for homicide after admitting he strangled and killed Laude.
The Bureau of Corrections and the Justice Department have ordered to put on hold Pemberton’s release following the motion filed by Laude’s camp.
