Ochoa: No need to review DOJ panel findings on Leviste caper

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said Wednesday that there is no need to review the findings of the Department of Justice panel on the unauthorized ‘vacation’ of homicide convict and former Batangas Gov. Jose Antonio Leviste. Ochoa also said that President Benigno Aquino III did not order a review of the recommendations made by the panel which the latter received Monday afternoon. "If there is an order for review? No. I think the DOJ has reviewed it. They have… findings so that’s it," Ochoa said in an interview with reporters after the send off ceremony for President Aquino at Villamor Airbase in Pasay City. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima earlier said among the recommendations of the DOJ panel was the filing of charges against five Bureau of Corrections officials. Four of the five officials will face administrative charges while one of them will be sanctioned for both criminal and administrative liabilities. De Lima earlier said New Bilibid Prison custodian Fortunato Justo will face criminal actions but she refused to name the four other prison officials. She added the DOJ fact-finding team also recommended administrative charges for former BuCor chief Ernesto Diokno but were rendered "moot and academic" after his resignation on Monday. — RSJ, GMA News