Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the early release of a convicted double murderer, whose family boasts close links to her administration.
Claudio Teehankee Jnr, 62, was ordered to be released last month but has so far refused to leave his Manila jail cell and is being allowed to stay there of his own free will. Teehankee's father was the chief magistrate of the Philippines and his brother, Manuel, was recently appointed permanent representative to the World Trade Organisation by Mrs Arroyo, having previously served as justice undersecretary.
Teehankee was sentenced to life in prison for gunning down 16-year-old Swedish-Filipino Maureen Hultman and her 21-year-old American friend, Roland Chapman, whose father worked at the US embassy, in 1991. He also shot and wounded Jussi Olavi Leino, a Finn in his early 20s.
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez told the South China Morning Post that the 'executive clemency' granted to Teehankee was proof that 'justice is still working here in this country' for both the poor and the rich.
'Maybe in China it [justice] doesn't work but it works here,' he said. Mr Gonzalez said he 'would suppose' the convict's brother, Manuel, interceded on his behalf.
Manuel Teehankee thanked Mrs Arroyo and asked for understanding, saying 'my brother has been in jail for 21 years'. Authorities say Teehankee has been in jail for 13 years.