Palace defends parole for Leviste

MANILA, Philippines - Malacanang does not see any reason to question the parole granted to former Batangas governor Jose Antonio Leviste almost five years after his conviction for the killing of his long-time aide.

But Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. yesterday said those opposed to Leviste’s parole would be free to take action to reverse the decision of the Pardon and Parole Administration.

Coloma said the parole was in accordance with laws and processes and did not need any presidential action.

When asked why Leviste was given a good conduct time pass when he was seen going in and out of the national penitentiary, Coloma said there were rules being observed regarding the matter.

Leviste’s unauthorized trips outside of prison even forced the resignation of then Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Ernesto Diokno.

Coloma clarified there were qualifications set for those who would be “eligible for consideration for parole” and Leviste met all of them.

He said Justice Secretary Leila de Lima confirmed this and that parole did not mean total liberty for Leviste.

“According to the law, he will be under surveillance. He has reporting requirements as part of the administrative process. So he must comply with those requirements,” Coloma said.

He added that the Makati City Metropolitan Trial Court acquitted Leviste of evasion of service of sentence after his caper and so there were no more legal and administrative impediments to his being granted parole.

Leviste was slapped with a case of evasion of service of sentence after he was caught roaming in his LPL building in Makati City in violation of his “living out” privilege in May 2011.

But the MTC Branch 62 of Makati cleared the convict and his driver Nilo Solis de Guzman, citing Leviste’s own defense “that he was legitimately outside because he was given a green light by the prison officers.”

Four prison superintendents and a prison guard were dismissed as a result of Leviste’s caper.

Coloma said the Palace would respect all legal processes in case Leviste’s parole would be questioned.