MANILA, Philippines - ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs delivered another major scoop after it broke the news on former Batangas Gov. Jose Antonio Leviste’s illegal trips outside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City on May 18.
XXX, led by anchor-reporter Anthony Taberna, broke the news on the network’s flagship newscast TV Patrol.
The investigative program exclusively captured videos of Leviste far away from the National Bilibid and in front of his office-residential building in Makati.
The exclusive story didn’t only expose the alleged special treatment given to Leviste, but also sparked discussions on the efficiency of the government’s judicial branch in handling high-profile cases in jail.
The exposé caught the attention of authorities, such as the Department of Justice (DOJ) which is probing the issue. President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino also summoned Bureau of Corrections director Ernesto Diokno to explain the incident.
The Kapamilya network’s scoop stemmed from a tip entrusted by a source to the XXX team on how Leviste enjoys his imprisonment sentence like that of a free man. The award-winning show began investigating in February and monitored the areas provided by the tipster.
True enough, the former governor was seen in public places and was even videotaped by the program four times outside the Bilibid.
The videos were then presented to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, who ordered the National Bureau of Investigation for Leviste’s immediate arrest.
Living by the slogan Panig sa Katotohanan, Panig sa Bayan, ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs once again showed its fearlessness and fairness in exposing anomalous incidents to the public.
With a respected and accomplished team of reporters and researchers in different media platforms, ABS-CBN captured another incident that may lead to improvements in the nation’s justice system.
XXX airs today after Bandila.