Leviste could earn another 6 years for evasion of service of sentence

MANILA, Philippines—Former Batangas Governor Antonio “Tony” Leviste, a homicide convict, has not even served half of his jail sentence when he faces yet again another criminal case, which could earn him another six years of detention, for going out of the national penitentiary without a formal permit from prison authorities or the court.

On Friday, the Justice Department charged Leviste with evasion of service of sentence before the Makati City Metropolitan Trial Court.

In the charge sheet, Senior State Prosecutor Lilian Doris Alejo said that Leviste “knowingly, willfully, and feloniously, escaped his confinement … as he was seen and arrested outside the LPL Building along Gallardo Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City.”

Leviste’s driver, Nilo Solis, was also charged as an accomplice.

Alejo also presided over the inquest proceedings last Thursday, which determined his liability when, acting on a tip, authorities discovered Leviste outside the LPL Building when he was supposed to be behind bars.

Alejo said in her two-page resolution dated May 19, probable cause was found to charge Leviste in court for the offense because he was “seen and arrested in Makati City on May 18, 2011 which is definitely outside the confines of the (New) Bilibid Prisons located in Muntinlupa City.”

“All elements of the offense being present, there is probable cause to hold the respondent Leviste liable,” the resolution said.

Leviste has been serving a 6 to 12 year prison sentence for killing his longtime friend and aide, Rafael de las Alas on January 12, 2007 inside the former governor’s office at the LPL Building.