Introduction

Clemency, a word acquired from the Latin word “Clementia”, reprimands the quality of being
compassionate, forbearing, magnanimous and lenient towards an individual regardless of his/her
integrity and hamartia. As simple as exonerating a beggar for stealing water to quench his thirst is an
example of clemency. Nevertheless, clemency in political elucidation is often;y regarded as “pardon” is
an act initiated by an executive member of the government allowing an individual to be acquitted of
guilt for an alleged legal offense or crime. Clemency, like in other countries, is granted in the Philippines'
justice system. Moreover, a specific law referred to as R.A. 10592 or the "GCTA Law" that was enacted
during the presidency of former president Benigno Aquino III. It utters the release of inmates possessing
a profound change within life behind caged bars. One of the most controversial beneficiaries of such an
opportunity is the Former Calauan Mayor, Antonio Sanchez, who is convicted to the 1993 rape-slay of
Eileen Sarmenta and the murder of Allan Gomez. Subsequent to the heinous crimes he has perpetrated
together with his gang, a scarcely number of politicians have decided to view his case on a considerable
scope by reducing his service years in detention. The law itself may even grant Sanchez the wry
"innocence" he has been yearning for over the past decades.

Body

A leader, regardless of his rank, is said to govern his people by foretelling the myriad obstacles his
people may face and conceptualizing ways on how to combat it. Antonio Leyza Sanchez, a man of great
imperium, was known to be Calauan, Laguna's former mayor. Sanchez was living a free man's life until
the liberty itself decided to reciprocate life's tides. In 1993, two students of the University of the
Philippines in Los Baños, namely Eileen Sarmenta and Allan Gomes, were abducted by a group of men
who were said to Sanchez's constituents. Words were merely insufficient to outline the infernal terror
these students have experienced. Seeming humanity has been stripped off from these students who had
no choice but to face the unnerving acts that crept upon their sleeves. Eileen was violated in spite of
pleasure while Allan, on the other hand, was inhumanely beaten-up to get rid of the said "evidence". All
hands were pointed on the former Calauan Mayor who seemingly stepped on a landmine. The dots
seemed to connect as the shreds of evidence convincingly proved that Sanchez and his men were the
masterminds of this monstrosity. On March 14, 1995, Pasig Judge Harriet Demetriou described the said
case as "a plot seemingly hatched hell". The obnoxious crime was unjustifiable for the suspects weren't
modest and true towards the victim's family who up to this day, boundlessly remorse. On the brighter
side, justice was served as the infamous Reclusion Perpetua was sentenced to Sanchez and his
henchmen. Sanchez will have to serve a total of 360 days in jail since he is entitled to 7 terms of
Reclusion Perpetua. However, in the contemporary field, tensions have risen for Sanchez and are said to
be included in the GCTA Law enacted by former President Benigno Aquino III. Nevertheless, there some
contemplations we must reconsider before appealing the said law onto former Calauan Mayor, Antonio
Sanchez. Firstly, would be Sanchez's decorum in the New Bilibid Prison. Notwithstanding the heinous
offenses, Sanchez is depicted to be a "man of difference" for maintaining consistent rectitude in jail.
Everyone is entitled to having a "benefit of the doubt" hence, a sin without repentance is simply silver
claiming to be gold. Secondly, Sanchez alongside was his family have refused to show any form remorse
towards the families of the victims. Remorse is like a simple feeling of guilt whenever we do
wrongdoings. In the case of Sanchez, they remained to be intrepid by acclaiming innocence. They
refused to give any sort of compensation for the damages dealt towards the victims of the family. To be
exact, a total of Php 12,671,900 (actually taken into consideration), was assigned by the court to be
compensated by the Sanchez family ascribed to the death indemnity and litigation fees.