Extend favor to elderly inmates

This refers to the letter titled “Also victims of grave injustice” (Inquirer, 2/23/13).

I recall vividly that President Ferdinand Marcos, in a display of statesmanship and a gesture of compassion, released from prison his archrival, the sickly and aging Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. so that the latter could undergo a bypass operation abroad. We may call it a masterstroke by the strongman who might have had many faults, but whose decision and approval to release from jail the strongest threat to his hold on power, was an act worth emulating.

If I were a member of the family of the late senator and given the chance and power to reciprocate the gesture, I would wholeheartedly and willingly extend the favor given to our family to qualified and deserving sickly and/or elderly prisoners. But it seems lending a scorned political figure an ear is farthest from the mind of our present leadership.

President Aquino has the opportunity, although a fleeting one, to prove his worth as a son of Ninoy to every member of our society, whether they are freely roaming our streets or inside prison walls. He doesn’t need new laws, he only needs to adhere to and implement the provisions of Memorandum No. 155 to give the elderly, sickly and qualified inmates time to spend with their families.

My belief in the strength of the family structure has not waned despite my situation, and I also believe that our beloved President has not entirely lost compassion for the Filipinos languishing in our national penitentiary.

—GAMALIEL LEDDA JR.,

Dorm 13-G, Maximum Security Compound,

New Bilibid Prison, Muntinlupa City