Officials defend pardon for Pemberton

MANILA, Philippines — Administration officials were on the defensive yesterday amid criticism over President Duterte's granting of absolute pardon to US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton, who was convicted by a local court for killing Filipino transgender Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude in October 2014. Presidential legal adviser Salvador Panelo said Duterte has the prerogative to grant absolute pardon to a Filipino or any foreigner, which...