Aquino: Probe Leviste parole

MANILA, Philippines – Backtracking from Malacañang’s earlier statement, President Benigno Aquino III on Sunday, December 8 ordered a probe into the decision granting parole for former Batangas Gov Jose Antonio Leviste. 

“I am not happy with the decision and I am having the whole matter investigated,” Aquino said. 

His statement was read by Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr on government-run radio dzRB. 

On Saturday, Coloma himself said Leviste met all qualifications required to be eligible for parole despite concerns that he violated his prison sentence. 

Leviste, who was found guilty of killing his employee Rafael de las Alas in 2009, faced a complaint from the National Bureau of Investigation in May 2011 for evasion of service of sentence over allegations that he left the New Bilibid Prison compound in Muntinlupa 3 times that year. 

In defense, Leviste said the excursions were approved by prison officers. He was acquitted from the charges but Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director Ernesto Diokno was forced to resign. 

Coloma said Aquino wants to know the whole background of how the decision to grant parole to Leviste was made. 

“Natunghayan po ng ating Pangulo iyong balita sa pahayagan at sabi po niya ay ipahayag ko po na siya ay hindi nasisiyahan sa naging pasya at dahil doon ay ipinag-uutos po niya na magkaroon ng masusing pag-aaral kung paano po naganap iyong desisyon na iyon sapagkat ito po ay nais niyang ipasiyasat,” Coloma said. 

(The President monitored the news and he told me to say that he’s not happy with the decision and because of that, he is ordering an investigation into how the decision was made.)

Manuel Co, head of the Parole and Probation Administration, earlier said Leviste’s parole only meant “temporary liberty.” In an interview with ANC, Co said Leviste will still be under the “continuous custody of the state.” – Rappler.com