Tony Leviste leaves prison

Former Batangas governor Antonio “Tony” Leviste. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Former Batangas Governor Antonio Leviste was released from prison Friday after he was granted parole, New Bilibid Prisons Superintendent Venancio Tesoro said over the phone.

Leviste and 34 other inmates’ application for parole were approved by the Parole and Probation Administration.

Tesoro said Leviste was officially released at 11:20 a.m.

Meanwhile, Parole and Probation Administrator Manuel Co told INQUIRER.net that Leviste and the 34 other prisoners have served the minimum penalty imposed on them.

“They, [including Leviste] are released but it does not result in full restoration of liberty because they are still under the custody of the law,” Co said.

He said that parolees have to comply with the conditions of their release or would be returned to prison to serve the balance of their maximum sentence.

These are:

• Reporting to the parole and probation officer within 15 days after his release
• Reporting at least once a month in person to the parole and probation officer in the area where he will reside;
• Staying in the same address without approval of the Parole and Probation Regional Director
• Not indulging in any illegal activities;
• Not possessing firearms;
• Not associating persons or groups engaged in any criminal activities;
• Conducting himself in an orderly manner;
• If arrested, he shall get in touch with his Parole officer within two days;
• Allowing his parole officer to regularly visit him at his home and/or place of business.

Leviste was convicted by the Makati regional trial court for the death of his aide Rafael Delas Alas and was meted the penalty of six years and one day to 12 years of imprisonment.

Co added that Leviste was found not guilty of evasion of service of sentence after he was caught sneaking in and out of prison in 2011 with the help of some jail guards who have since been suspended.

He said the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) also gave a positive recommendation to Leviste who has been actively participating in BuCor’s reform program.

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima on Friday said that Leviste has met all the requirements to be entitled for parole.

She added that even the victim’s family did not object to Leviste’s appeal for parole.

“The Board of Pardons and Parole, after due proceedings and in compliance with the legal requirements, granted his application for parole. I was told also that the family of the victim did not object and has expressed that they have forgiven Mr. Leviste. Also paroled were 34 other qualified inmates,” De Lima said in a text message.

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