Gov. Eddie Calvo granted pardons to three more people during his last few days in office, bringing his total pardons to 31 since 2016, government documents show.

Calvo's last grant of pardon was on Jan. 2, for Mark Daniel Sgambelluri Aflague, after granting pardons to Joseph R. Unpingco and Baltazar Cruz Atalig III on Dec. 28.

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The Guam Pardon Review Board, led by chairwoman MiChelle H. Taitano, wrote Dec. 20 letters to Calvo, recommending pardon for the three, after investigation and review of the facts.

Value in pardoning people

Calvo granted three pardons in 2016, eight in 2017, 19 in 2018, and one in 2019.

Calvo exercised his executive authority to grant pardons more than his predecessor, Gov. Felix Camacho, who granted 12 pardons in December 2010, shortly before his second term ended in January 2011.

In an interview in December, Calvo said he sees value in pardoning people who have served their debt to society and want to change their lives for the better.

'It would best serve the ends of justice'

Calvo, in his Jan. 2 pardon letter, said Aflague successfully completed all the terms and conditions of his sentence and has had no other offenses.

Aflague was convicted by the local court for multiple offenses between 1988 and 2010, including terrorizing, reckless conduct, possession of firearm without an ID card, burglary and attempted burglary, violation of court order, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, providing escape implements.

He was sentenced to serve five years incarceration, three years supervised probation, three years parole and restitution.

"It would best serve the ends of justice and is in the interests of Guam to unconditionally pardon Mr. Aflague," Calvo wrote in his pardon letter.

Contributed positively to the community

The same language is in the governor's letter for the two others he recently pardoned.

Unpingco and Atalig were convicted by local court for reckless driving as petty misdemeanor and driving while under the influence of alcohol also as a misdemeanor, respectively.

Calvo's letters said Unpingco and Atalig have been actively employed and have contributed positively to the community.

28 earlier pardons

Calvo's 28 other pardons granted earlier include those for four sex offenders. The Pardon Review Board recommended against pardoning one of the four sex offenders, but Calvo used his executive authority to pardon the person since the final decision rests with him.

A governor's pardon represents a full legal forgiveness for a crime, releasing a convicted person from prison or from other penalties of a conviction such as probation conditions or unpaid fines.

It is different from an expungement, which wipes out any record of a criminal conviction as if it never happened, often sealing the case file. A pardon acknowledges the conviction, but removes all punishments for it.

Calvo also shortened or commuted the sentences of at least 71 migrant convicts, most of whom were guilty of sex crimes, so they could be handed over to federal authorities for deportation.

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Reporter Haidee Eugenio covers Guam's Catholic church issues, government, business and more. Follow her on Twitter @haidee_eugenio. Follow Pacific Daily News on Facebook/GuamPDN and Instagram @guampdn.