President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was not inclined...

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was not inclined to heed the request of Public Attorney's Office (PAO) to stay the executions of Roberto Lara and Roderick Licayan, two convicted kidnappers who were scheduled to die via lethal injection on January 30, Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye said. PAO chief lawyer Persida Acosta had sent a letter to the President asking her to the two death convicts a reprieve following the arrest of one their co-accused on. In initial interrogations, Mr. Mabansag reportedly cleared Mr. Lara of any involvement in the abductions of Joseph Thomas Co and Linda Manaysay for which he and Mr. Licayan were meted the death penalty in September 1999. The Supreme Court affirmed the decision in August 2001.