By Paul Atienza
The Daily Tribune
The Daily Tribune
The Palace did a complete turnaround yesterday on its sentiment regarding the parole given to convicted former Batangas Gov. Jose Antonio Leviste after his release from prison generated public outrage with President Aquino raising the possibility that his release could be revoked.
Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Aquino wanted the circumstances behind Leviste’s inclusion in the list of parolees submitted to the Department of Justice (DoJ) while at the same time seeking an explanation from Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on the approval of the parole.
Just the other day, Coloma also cleared the parole given to Leviste, saying his release met all qualifications required in the grant of the privilege as confirmed by De Lima.
Coloma said on radio no administrative or legal obstacles barred Leviste’s parole after the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) dismissed a case filed against him on violating his prison sentence after he was leaving the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) compound where he is detained in three times in 2011.
“The Makati RTC dismissed the case. That issue has been resolved,” Coloma said.
Coloma yesterday, however, said Aquino was not happy with the release of Leviste.
“I am not happy with the decision and I am having the whole matter investigated,” Coloma said quoting Aquino.
Coloma added that Aquino ordered to review the resolution of the members of the Board of Pardons and Parole in arriving at the conclusion to grant Leviste a parole.
“The President want the decision of the Parole Board reviewed on the matter of giving parole to former governor Antonio Leviste,” Coloma said.
Under the Constitution, Aquino has the power to exercise giving a Presidential pardon to criminal convicts which is the only other case aside from the granting of parole when convicts can be released.
Coloma did say if Aquino was kept in the dark by the officials of the Board of Pardons and Parole on Leviste by not giving him the list of those to be granted clemency.
Coloma neither also refused to say whether or not Aquino intends to exercise his power of executive pardon this December in celebration of Christmas.
“Let’s just wait. The Office of the President has to issue statement about that. We do not want to engage to speculation,” Coloma said.
The Board of Pardons and Parole has the power to review the records of all inmates who have served sentence at the maximum security compound, and whose sentence is life imprisonment.
It is a common knowledge that inmates who have no connections nor money are not usually included in the parole list that is submitted to the President, through the Secretary of Justice, for final approval.
Leviste was granted parole along with 33 other inmates’ by the Parole and Probation Administration (PPA). PPA Administrator Manuel Co said that Leviste and the 33 others have been allowed to be released on parole because they have already served the minimum penalty imposed on them.
He stressed that parolees have to comply with several conditions otherwise they will have to return to prison and serve the remaining portion of the maximum sentence.
He added that the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) also has a positive recommendation for Leviste who was actively participating in BuCor’s reform program.
De Lima on Friday said that Leviste has met all the requirements to be entitled for parole. De Lima added that even the family of his victim did not object on his application.
Co added that Leviste’s old age, 73, was also a consideration for the parole making him “no longer a threat to the community.” In addition, the family of de las Alas did not object to the parole.
Coloma said the Palace will respect, follow, and participate in all legal processes should anyone question the parole in court.
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