Dear PAO,

Tino was a politician in our province, and he committed a crime against my brother, resulting in his imprisonment (reclusion perpetua). Many years have passed since I last heard any information about him. Recently, his father, the incumbent mayor, claimed that he is retiring soon and his son will replace him because he will be released through pardon. I immediately researched about pardon under the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines, and I understand that even if he is pardoned, he cannot run for an elective position because of the absolute disqualification attached to the penalty of reclusion perpetua. Is my understanding correct? Further, am I correct in my assumption that pardon cannot be granted to Tino because his penalty is reclusion perpetua?