Prisons chief goes on leave as DOJ probes Leviste 'vacation'

While the Department of Justice looks into former Batangas Gov. Antonio Leviste's so-called caper outside the New Bilibid Prison, Bureau of Corrections Director Ernesto Diokno has taken a leave of absence. Speaking to reporters, DOJ Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III said Diokno offered his letter to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Monday morning. Diokno's leave of absence will last "until the investigation is finished," Baraan said. Baraan said Diokno's letter indicated that the purpose of the leave of absence is "to give us a free hand in the investigation of this whole incident." BuCor assistant director Teodora Diaz will serve as the bureau's officer-in-charge in the meantime, Baraan said. The Bureau of Corrections has direct supervision over the New Bilibid Prison, where Leviste is serving his sentence after being convicted of homicide in 2009. Diokno has drawn flak for the bureau's supposed security lapses that allowed Leviste to walk in and out of the NBP without permission. Diokno is set to face a DOJ fact-finding panel on Monday. The proceedings will be held at the BuCor office in Muntinlupa City.

Leviste vows to tell all at hearing Leviste is also set to face the DOJ's hearing on his unauthorized departure from Bilibid. Baraan III said Leviste has vowed to cooperate in the government inquiry even if the department filed evasion of service of sentence charges against him last week before a Makati court. "It's up to him if he will invoke his right against self-incrimination, but I don't think he will. He said he will cooperate fully and answer our questions," Baraan said. Leviste was arrested last week by government agents in Makati while the former governor was on his way to meet his dentist. The DOJ is conducting an inquiry by virtue of an order from De Lima, who has vowed that "heads will roll" because of the incident. Over the weekend, the DOJ fact-finding panel led by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Susan Dacanay inspected Bilibid's minimum security compound and the hut where Leviste was staying. The panel found security lapses that could have allowed Leviste's escapes in plain sight. The panel said it found "disturbing" shortcomings in the way the NBP secured its minimum-security inmates in the sprawling 366-hectare compound in Muntinlupa City. The minimum security compound houses inmates whose sentences are about to lapse or inmates who are above 70 years old, such as Leviste. Before his arrest last May 18, Leviste had "sleep out" privileges, which were terminated last week. "Sleep out" prisoners can spend the night in private homes inside the prison compound but away from prison cells. — RSJ/HS, GMA News