Sanchez wants out of rehab center

CEBU, Philippines - The son of the late vice governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr. has asked to be discharged from the drug rehabilitation center where he was confined for 16 months now.

Leodegreco Sanchez filed a motion before the Regional Trial Court seeking for his immediate discharge from the New Horizon Treatment and Rehab Center in Candabong, Argao.

Sanchez, through his lawyer Rameses Villagonzalo, said he wanted to start a new life outside of the rehabilitation center.

“Without touching the merits of these cases and notwithstanding the Progress Report dated September 1, 2014 signed by Dr. David Baron, accused Sanchez wants to be discharged from confinement of the said center,” the motion read.

Sanchez entered the drug rehabilitation facility sometime in 2013.

He was charged with violations of Sections 11 (illegal possession of shabu) and 12 (illegal possession of drugs paraphernalia) of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

He was arrested in 2013 following a complaint filed by his elder sister, Provincial Board Member Grecilda Sanchez-Zaballero, for allegedly stealing their family’s yacht.

Zaballero called the Regional Special Operations Group and reported that her brother led several armed men in stealing their yacht docked in Barangay Catarman, Liloan.

The responding policemen caught Sanchez and his cohorts in a house in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City. The police found shabu and drug paraphernalia in his possession.

In his motion, Sanchez said he was confined for 16 months and can be considered “sober and clean already.”

“Shabu traces can stay inside the human body up to five days only, whereas a heavy usage of marijuana makes the traces stay in the body up to 30 days plus,” the document read.

Sanchez added that he wants to resume his functions as vice president of their business and wanted to manage his finances and properties. Thus, asking for his discharge from the confinement at the rehabilitation center.

He said considering the charges filed against him were bailable, he asked that he will be allowed to post bail for his temporary liberty after he will be released from rehabilitation center.

He asked that his motion be heard on Friday. — (FREEMAN)