Weak justice system blamed for ex-Gov. Leviste's 'vacation'

Thursday 19th May, 2011

The son of the victim of convicted killer Jose Antonio Leviste was infuriated by how the latter can leave his prison cell without permit from authorities, according to an exclusive report on GMA News’ “24 Oras."

“Buhay rin ng father namin 'yun [pinagbabayaran niya]. Bakit... siya nakakalabas?" said Jose Nazareth delas Alas, son of Rafael delas Alas whom Leviste, a former Batangas governor, shot dead in 2007.

Delas Alas even blamed the country’s weak justice system and its corrupt police system, the report said. “Normal na sa system natin sa Pilipinas na kapag may kaya, medyo napapaburan. Kanino pa kami tatakbo?" he said.

On Wednesday afternoon, National Bureau of Investigation agents arrested Leviste in Makati City after finding out that he left the New Bilibid Prison without a pass.

Leviste said he was in Makati City because he had an appointment with his dentist, a claim that the younger Delas Alas said was not new in the national penitentiary.

Delas Alas said it was only Leviste’s alibi to escape further criticisms. “Sa loob naman, meron naman clinic. They will do recommendations kung talagang dapat ilabas siya," he said.

Delas Alas also said he does not believe it was Leviste’s first time to get out of his prison cell. He then called on the Aquino administration to rescue what he said is the ailing justice system of the Philippines.

Leviste was convicted of homicide in 2009 for killing Rafael two years earlier inside the former governor’s office at Brain Trust Associates on the 9th Floor of the LPL Tower in Makati City. He said he killed Rafael as an act of self-defense.

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