Leviste: Arroyo promised me executive clemency

(Updated 2:14 p.m.) Convicted killer Jose Antonio Leviste, in explaining his unauthorized “vacation" from the New Bilibid Prison last week before an investigating panel, on Monday said former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had promised to grant him executive clemency. But Leviste said the offer was withdrawn because of “political reasons" that he did not enumerate. "My executive clemency has been pending for the last 10 months. It was promised by President Macapagal [Arroyo] but for some reason it was pulled out. I leave the rest to God. I am in poor health," Leviste, a former Batangas governor, told a Department of Justice (DOJ) fact-finding inquiry. Reporters tried to interview him after the DOJ hearing, but he was barred from talking to the media. GMA News Online was still trying to reach Mrs. Arroyo’s camp, through spokesperson Len Bautista-Horn, for confirmation as of posting time. The Arroyo administration had been criticized for allegedly giving VIP treatment to high-profile inmates, among them convicted killer Claudio Teehankee Jr., who received pardon from the Arroyo government. Teehankee's father was a former chief justice. It was also under Arroyo that former Zambonga del Norte Rep. Romeo Jalosjos, a convicted rapist, had his sentence of two life terms commuted after earning good conduct time allowance. Jalosjos walked free in March 2009 after staying in Jail for only 13 years. Even former President Joseph Estrada, whom Arroyo replaced in 2001, received pardon one month after he was convicted of plunder in September 2007. PNoy dismayed by BuCor chief As this developed, President Benigno Aquino III admitted before reporters in Bulacan that he was dismayed with Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director Ernesto Diokno over the Leviste incident. “Pinaramdam ko sa kanya kung gaano ako kadismaya sa nangyari," he said when asked what transpired Thursday morning when he summoned Diokno to Malacañang. Aquino promised that he will either implement reforms in the NBP or sack personnel as a result of the controversy. Diokno, meanwhile, has taken a leave of absence following the incident. “Hindi tayo nakasisiguro kung iiwan pa natin yung taong masasabi nating nagkulang dito, obviously may nagkulang," Aquino said in an interview in Bocaue, Bulacan after the launching of housing project for military and police personnel. “Ang tanong ay sino at ilan sila na dapat iayos, kung pwede pa bang i-reform o kailangan nang palitan," he added. He said he will make the decision after the DOJ concludes its investigation and submits its report, which he expects not later than Wednesday. “I’m hoping that the DOJ, in their report, will be as comprehensive as possible and will give me all the factual basis as to [the] rules and regulations regarding such [incident]," Aquino said. Leviste owns up to wrongdoing Leviste was convicted of homicide in 2009 for the killing of his long-time friend two years earlier. He was sentenced to six to 12 years in jail. Leviste, during the investigation, admitted that his departure from the NBP last week was unauthorized. He said he felt he was entitled to leave the national penitentiary because his tree-planting project in Bilibid made him a "member" of the BuCor family. "I had the illusion I was already part of the BuCor family. It slipped my mind (that I had to ask for permission) and said I'll sneak out and come back right away," Leviste said, adding that he tried to ask permission from BuCor authorities but there was no official to authorize his departure. Government agents arrested Leviste outside his office at the LPL Building in Makati City last Wednesday, May 18. Leviste explained that at the time, he was suffering from a toothache and had to undergo treatment in Makati City. Several times during the hearing, Leviste repeated that only he should be punished for his unauthorized departure from the NBP, adding that it would be a "grave injustice" if other people like BuCor and NBP officials should be sanctioned as well. In tears, Leviste told the panel: "I'm ready to suffer the consequences of my actions but it's a grave injustice if anybody else should suffer the same fate." "As God is my witness, may I be struck by lightning, may I be damned to eternal hell if anybody is responsible for me going out. If you want to execute anyone, execute me now because I did not think what I did was so serious. May I be struck by lightning, may I not wake up tomorrow morning," an emotional Leviste added. Leviste added that he felt embarrassed when he was arrested: "Daig ko pa si [Osama] bin Laden." Poor security Leviste also revealed during the hearing that it was easy for an inmate to walk in and out of Bilibid because of the lack of security personnel and because those guarding the seven entrances and exits do not check those who are going in and out. He admitted that he used the main road to go out of Bilibid, but the guards manning the outpost did not check his vehicle while he was leaving. "Is it easy for an inmate to go in an out of prison?" asked panel chair Senior State Prosecutor Susan Dacanay. "There are seven entrances and exits here. Naghalu-halo na ho ito," replied Leviste. He also underscored that he had no intention to escape. "Sabi sa diyaryo ay ako ay jailbreak, ay escapee. Ang akin pong paniniwala, sa amin sa Batangas, may tawag na puga at puslit. Yung puga hindi na bumabalik, ang puslit bumabalik. Ako po ay hindi puga, ako ay pumuslit." Diokno goes on leave Leviste was also asked whether he was previously warned by Diokno that he could be punished for leaving NBP premises. "Have you received any previous warning from any BuCor official regarding escaping? The reason why I have brought this up is because Director Diokno has been quoted as saying that he has served warnings to you regarding your act of living [out] or any other act which deserves disciplinary action. Have you received any warning?" State Counsel Charlene Mae Tapic asked. Leviste declined to answer the question. "I'd like to remain silent," he said. Diokno has drawn flak for the bureau's supposed security lapses that allowed Leviste to walk in and out of the NBP without permission. On Monday morning, Diokno sent Justice Secretary Leila de Lima a letter saying he was going on leave as the DOJ looks into Leviste's so-called caper. DOJ probe The DOJ investigating panel is looking into the possible liabilities of BuCor and NBP officials who may have allowed Leviste to walk in and out of the national penitentiary without clearance. Prior to his arrest, Leviste had “sleep out" privileges, but these were canceled by the government last week. “Sleep out" prisoners can spend the night in private homes inside the prison compound but away from their prison cells. In 2004, Arroyo had issued memorandum orders allowing prisoners above 70 to receive “living out" privileges and to apply for executive clemency. Leviste is 71 years old. — with Amita O. Legaspi/KBK/MRT, GMA News