NILINAW kahapon ng Malakanyang na diskuwalipikado si convicted rapist-murder at dating Calauan Mayor Antonio Sanchez na magbenepisyo sa Republic Act 10592 (Law on Good Conduct Time Allowance).
Sa pinalabas na statement, sinabi ni Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo na lumilitaw sa ginawang pagrerebisa sa naturang batas na nag-aamiyenda sa Revised Penal Code kaugnay sa recomputation ng pagbabawas ng sentensiya base sa pagpapakita ng good behavior ay malinaw na hindi kasama sa mga makikinabang na convicted persons ang mga recidivist, habitual delinquents, escapees at mga nahatulan ng mga karumal dumal na krimen.
“This is the letter and the spirit of the law,” wika ni Panelo.
“Thus, the inevitable conclusion is that all those convicted of a heinous crime, including Mr. Antonio Sanchez, would be ineligible and disqualified from availing the benefits of the GCTA,” giit pa ni Panelo na siya ring chief presidential legal counsel.
“We therefore subscribe to the opinion of the Secretary of Justice on the matter,” dagdag pa ng kalihim.
Si Sanchez ay nahatulan ng pitong termino ng reclusion perpetua (40 taon kada termino) matapos mapatunayang hinalay at pinatay ang dalawang University of the Philippines-Los Baños students na sina Eileen Sarmenta at Allan Gomez noong 1993.
Ayon kay Panelo, suportado ng Malakanyang ang direktiba ng Department of Justice sa Bureau of Corrections na pag-aralang mabuti at masusing rebisahin ang mga saklaw at ang dapat makinabang lalo pa at ang mga ito ay high profile at sangkot sa heinous crimes.
Umani ng kabi-kabilang batikos ang napaulat na napipintong paglaya ng dating alkalde na kabilang sa halos 11,000 convicted prisoners na makikinabang sa naturang batas.
“The sentiments of the people are understandable vis-à-vis the law passed by Congress during the previous administration and its recent interpretation by the Supreme Court. As we have said, our task is to merely execute what the laws as they stand,” giit pa ni Panelo na dati ring nagsilbing abogado ni Sanchez.
“We reiterate, however, that while the Executive Branch has no discretion in the implementation of the GCTA, the law still allows for the proper evaluation of inmates to ensure their proper coverage. Otherwise stated, while the Executive Branch is constrained to grant the benefit of the GCTA, it will only grant it to those who are entitled to such benefit,” dagdag pa ni Panelo.
“We assure that responsible officials will attend the same and assist them as they endeavor to craft better penal laws that are not only fair but are also morally sound,” sabi pa ng kalihim. EVELYN QUIROZ
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