Celebs posted their reaction regarding President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to grant absolute pardon to US Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton for the homicide of Jennifer Laude.
Actress Liza Soberano posted her emotional response to Pres. Duterte’s decision noting the lack of fairness for the murder of Laude due to sexual orientation and that good conduct doesn’t wipe clean Pemberton’s hate crime.
So a murder was just released for good conduct. Are we supposed to just forget that he killed Jennifer Laude because he’s done some good? #JusticeForJenniferLaude #TransLivesMatter
— Liza Soberano (@lizasoberano) September 7, 2020
Another question, you think this murderer (im not even gonna say his name) wasn’t treated fairly but, was it fair that Jennifer Laude was murdered out of hate just because of her sexual orientation? #TransLivesMatter
— Liza Soberano (@lizasoberano) September 7, 2020
Transgender Celebrity and Host Kaladkaren also posted her reaction towards the decision noting that Laude’s family hopes for justice from the Philippines.
#JusticeForJenniferLaude Hustisya mula sa sariling bansa ang inaasahan ni Jennifer at kanyang pamilya. Bakit parang mas pinaboran pa po ang iba
— KaladKaren (@jervijervi) September 7, 2020
Saab Magalona expressed her heartbreak over the decision.
Grabe, I am heartbroken for Jennifer’s family. Heartbroken for the trans community. This is not right. #JusticeForJenniferLaude
— Saab (@saabmagalona) September 7, 2020
Actor Vance Larena also expressed his thoughts on good conduct that was used as grounds for the absolute pardon.
https://twitter.com/vance_larena/status/1302921894597783553
Musicians Paolo and Miguel Benjamin of Ben&Ben, and Jason Dhakal also posted their reaction to the absolute pardon.
justice. for. jennifer. laude.#JusticeForJenniferLaude
— Paolo Benjamin (@PaoloBenjamin_) September 7, 2020
#JusticeForJenniferLaude #JusticeForJenniferLaude#JusticeForJenniferLaude https://t.co/4CSW508tfS
— Miguel Benjamin (@miguelbenjamin_) September 7, 2020
nah fuck this #JusticeForJenniferLaude https://t.co/RVRy3Wz1n0
— jason dhakal (@jasondhakal) September 2, 2020
Journalists and writers expressed their dismay over the absolute pardon.
Ano raw? https://t.co/lQM0x6xuag
— Lynda Jumilla-Abalos (@lyndajumilla) September 7, 2020
Lol ano kaya reaction ni Harry Roque about this? Ang kalat. https://t.co/4L0Hhz3FmG
— Nick Villavecer (@nickvillavecer) September 7, 2020
In pardoning Pemberton, Duterte admits that the Philippine justice system is flawed. This is the same justice system that has failed millions of Filipinos.
Still, Duterte decides to grant relief to an American who has killed one of his own countrymen. #JusticeForJenniferLaude
— Rambo Talabong (@ramboreports) September 7, 2020
Sen. Riza Hontiveros, a known LGBTQ+ advocate, also posted her dismay over the absolute pardon.
The Presidential pardon of Pemberton is an unbelievable affront to the LGBTQI+ community & to the Filipino people.
Many Filipinos who committed lesser crimes are never afforded this privilege. Isang Amerikanong pumatay sa Pilipina pa ang inuna. #JusticeForJenniferLaude
— risa hontiveros (@risahontiveros) September 7, 2020
Netizens also posted their reactions to the absolute pardon of Pemberton.
A murderer freed another murderer. Heartbreaking. #JusticeForJenniferLaude #JunkVFA https://t.co/foGG6icq5j
— Kerwin King (@imkerwinking) September 7, 2020
https://twitter.com/vinceliban/status/1302899668028854283
https://twitter.com/MaeDianeAzores/status/1302931644844662786
Released for good behavior… di lang ganun yung katumbas ng isang buhay, utang na loob #JusticeForJenniferLaude #TransLivesMatter
— Ian Pangilinan (@ianpangilinan_) September 7, 2020
President Rodrigo Duterte granted absolute pardon to Scott Joseph Pemberton based on the good conduct time allowance. Pres. Duterte also said that Pemberton was treated unfairly because his behavior was not duly monitored by Philippine authorities for good conduct time credits while he was detained.
Jennifer Laude, a transgender woman, was killed by Pemberton on October 11, 2014. Pemberton was found guilty of homicide on December 1, 2015, via the Olongapo Regional Trial Court. He was sentenced with 6 to 12 years of imprisonment but was later reduced to 10 years maximum by virtue of reconsideration.
The Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction of Pemberton for killing Laude in 2017. Pemberton pleaded to reverse the guilty verdict but was junked due to his defense lacking merit.
