Review of Cases of Filipinos Overseas Sentenced With Life Imprisonment or Higher

December 3, 1996

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 305

CREATING AN INTER-AGENCY COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE CASES OF FILIPINOS OVERSEAS SENTENCED WITH THE PENALTY OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT OR HIGHER, INCLUDING THOSE METED UNUSUAL PUNISHMENTS

WHEREAS, many Filipino overseas workers have been sentenced with the penalty of life imprisonment, death or unusual punishment by foreign governments;

WHEREAS, the Department of Foreign Affairs recommends Presidential intercession for possible commutation of sentence or pardon only to accused Filipino overseas workers meted the death penalty; cdta

WHEREAS, there is a need to give more attention not only to Filipino overseas workers who have been meted the death penalty but also to other Filipinos abroad who have been convicted or sentenced to unusual punishment and life imprisonment;

WHEREAS, there is a need to create an Inter-Agency Committee to assist the Department of Foreign Affairs to effectively and efficiently evaluate cases appropriate for Presidential intercession;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order the following:

SECTION 1. There is hereby established a Committee that shall assist the Department of Foreign Affairs in the review of cases involving Filipino overseas workers sentenced by foreign authorities with life imprisonment or higher, including other Filipinos meted with unusual punishments. The Committee shall be composed of the following:

Chairman	—	The Secretary, Department of Justice
Vice-Chairman	—	The Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs
Members	—	The Secretary, Department of Labor and
		Employment;
		The Administrator, Philippine Overseas
		Employment Administration;
		The Administrator, Overseas Welfare
		Workers Administration; and
		The Solicitor General.

 

SECTION 2. The Committee shall have the following functions:

a. To coordinate and monitor all cases involving Filipino overseas workers sentenced with the penalty of life imprisonment or higher, including those meted with unusual punishments; and

b. To evaluate, identify and recommend cases of Filipinos overseas appropriate for Presidential intercession. cdt

SECTION 3. The Committee through the Chairman, shall make a semi-annual report of its activities to the President. The first report shall be submitted on or before 30 January 1997.

SECTION 4. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, 3rd day of December, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Six.