Invoking his “higher authority,” President Duterte has ordered the Department of Justice and Bureau of Corrections to block any early release of convicted rapist and murderer Antonio Sanchez.
Sen. Christopher Go said the President reviewed Republic Act No. 10592 that reduces jail term for inmates on good behavior, and found that Sanchez, who was convicted of a heinous crime, was not covered by the law.
“Nag-order na siya na hindi ire-release si Sanchez upon the order of higher authority meaning sino pa ba higher authority? Wala. Nag-iisa lang ang Pangulo ng Republic ng Pilipinas,” he said during an interview with reporters at the National Heroes Day rites in Taguig City yesterday.
“Pinaabot niya kay BuCor chief (Nicanor) Faeldon at (Justice) Secretary (Menardo) Guevarra para iparating sa kanila na hindi maaring ma-release ‘yan dahil pinag-aaralan ni Pangulo ang batas at nakalagay doon sa Republic Act 10592 na excluded ang heinous crimes,” he said.
Guevarra earlier announced that Sanchez could be among the thousands of inmates who may walk free for good conduct. The Supreme Court has allowed the retroactive application of time allowance for the good conduct of inmates.
The possible release of Sanchez however triggered public outrage, prompting authorities to clarify the government stance.
Malacañang initially said the government could not do anything, but enforce the law if Sanchez was qualified under the law and would provide for his early release on good conduct.
The Palace later came out with a statement this time declaring that Sanchez would be “ineligible and disqualified” from availing the benefits of the law since he was convicted of a heinous crime.
“A review of Republic Act No. 10592 or the law on Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA), which amends the Revised Penal Code on the computation of the duration of imprisonment based on an offender’s good conduct, reveals that it is categorical in excluding recidivists, habitual delinquents, escapees, and persons charged with heinous crimes from the benefit of its coverage. This is the letter and the spirit of the law,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said.
“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. We therefore subscribe to the opinion of the Secretary of Justice on the matter,” he added. (Genalyn Kabiling)
