Pemberton’s release still ‘on hold’ – Sec. Roque

Secretary Harry Roque — Pemberton’s release still ‘on hold’ – Sec. Roque

Former US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton, an American soldier convicted of the murder of transgender woman Jennifer Laude, is still on hold.

This is even though Olongapo City regional trial court branch 74 Presiding Judge Roline Ginez-Jabalde has already issued a decision that Pemberton can now be released due to good behavior inside the jail.

According to Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, it is necessary to wait for the motion for reconsideration to be filed by the government.

“Just in po, I will just read the text po of our BuCor chief. And I will quote, ‘By the way, Sir, advise ng DOJ, hindi ipa-process ang release, this is referring to Pemberton, since there was an MR (motion for reconsideration) filed and we’ll just wait for the resolution of the MR. General Arevalo, please await resolution of the MR before releasing Pemberton,” Roque said.

Earlier, Roque said the judge did a judicial overreach.

“Iyong ginawa po ni judge na siya na ang nagdesisyon kung paano siya bibigyan ng good conduct is an instance of judicial overreach,”said Roque.

Prior to President Rodrigo Duterte’s presidential spokesman, Roque became the lawyer for the Laude family.