ITINANGGI ni Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo ang pag-eendorso para mabigyan si dating Calauan mayor Antonio Sanchez ng executive clemency.
Sa isang briefing, iginiit ni Panelo na “referral letter” lamang ang kanyang isinumite kay Bureau of Pardons and Parole Executive Director Reynaldo G. Bayang.
“We find it unfortunate that this representations’ referral letter to the Board of Pardons and Parole Executive Director Reynaldo G. Bayang, dated February 16, 2019 is unwittingly and erroneously and even maliciously being reported as a recommendation letter for the executive clemency for former Calauan Mayor Antonio Sanchez as written by Inquirer.net,” sabi ni Panelo.
Idinagdag ni Panelo na nakipagkita rin sa kanya ang mga anak ni Sanchez sa Malacanang.
“This report is far from the truth and we find it defamatory in nature. There is no part of this representations’ official communication asking for intervention as texted by Pia of Rappler. I said no intervention; the referral letter speaks for itself. On the contrary, this representation left it to the discretion of the Board of Pardons and Parole to evaluate the case of Mr. Sanchez,” giit ni Panelo.
Idinagdag ni Panelo na bahagi ng proseso bilang Chief Presidential Legal Counsel na umaksyon sa lahat ng sulat na natatanggap.
“So, the referral letter of Mrs. Marie Antonelvie J.Sanchez, who happened to be the daughter of former Mayor Sanchez, to the Board of Pardons and Parole is just one of the thousands of referrals this office has made to various government instrumentalities,” giit ni Panelo.
Nagsilbi si Panelo bilang isa sa mga abogado ni Sanchez.
Nagbanta rin siyang magsasampa ng libel laban sa Inquirer.net at Rappler.