TO:  ALL CLERKS OF COURT, BRANCH CLERKS OF COURT AND DEPUTY CLERKS OF COURT OF THE SANDIGANBAYAN, REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS, METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS IN CITIES, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS AND MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS. 

SUBJECT:  APPLICATION FOR AND GRANT OF PARDON AND PAROLE. 

In line with the rulings of the Supreme Court in People vs. Hinlo, G. R. No. 110035, January 31, 1995, and People vs. Francisco Salle, G. R. No. 103567, December 4, 1995, declaring illegal the grant of pardon or parole, or even the practice of processing applications therefor, to an accused during the pendency of his appeal from his conviction by the trial court, it is hereby directed that all Commitment Orders for the commitment of an accused to prison should state that the prisoner concerned did not appeal the judgment of conviction or, if an appeal had been filed, that the same had been withdrawn/dismissed/decided with finality. 

For cases that arose prior to this Circular, the Clerks of Court concerned should issue a certification regarding the same information upon request by the Bureau of Corrections and/or the Board of Pardons and Parole. 

Strict compliance herewith is enjoined,