Senator Loren Legarda asked for the commutation of...

Senator Loren Legarda asked for the commutation of the death sentences of 13 convicts who are more than 70 years old, or about to turn 70 this year, saying the death penalty law precludes the execution of convicts over 70 for humanitarian reasons. "They are no longer dangerous and should be spared the death sentence," Legarda said. Congressman Roan Libaros also appealed to trial judges to stop sending convicts more than 65 years old to death row, adding the judges should prevent the State from executing inmates over 70 years. "There's really no wisdom in sending a 65-year-old convict to death row because the chances are, the State cannot execute him anyway," Libarios said, adding: "Besides, aging convicts pose no threat to society if they are allowed simply to spend the rest of their lives in prison." It normally takes an average of four to five years for a death penalty case to be reviewed by the Supreme Court, and then by the Office of the President. By the time the entire review process is completed, the 65-year-old convict is likely to have turned 70. The Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), a pro-life group of lawyers, earlier identified 12 convicts who are already well over the 70-year-old limit, or will turn 70 this year. The convicts are Pedro Mondejar, 85; Benito Alcartado, 79; Alfredo Brandares, 77; Paquito Basaysay, 73; Alejandre delos Santos, 73; Sergio Aban, 72; Reynaldo de Villa, 72; Lor Santos, 71; Adolfo Belga, 70; benjamin Lim, 70; Napoleon Claro, 69; and Rafael Salalima, 69.