(Eagle News)–Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Wednesday, Aug. 21, denied he was behind the impending release of former Calauan, Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez, who was convicted of the rape and murder of two University of the Philippines students.
“As pointed out by (Justice) Secretary (Menardo) Guevarra, hindi kailangan ng kahit sinong na tao mag-intervene o lumakad sa release kasi may batas na,” Panelo, a counsel for Sanchez then, said.
Panelo was referring to Republic Act 10592 that increased the Good Conduct Time Allowance for inmates.
The Supreme Court in June also ruled that the law, which was initially applied prospectively, should be applied retroactively to cover inmates who were convicted prior to its enactment in 2013.
Guevarra said apart from Sanchez as a result, more than 10,000 other inmates may be freed soon.
He clarified that the impending freedom of these inmates was different from parole as parole was conditional while this case was “final.”
He said the impending release of the inmates, including Sanchez, does not require the approval of the Secretary of Justice, nor of the President.
“There is no requirement to publish or notify anyone because this is not a case of executive clemency. This is a case of sentence duly served,” Guevarra said.
According to Panelo, he was only one of seven lawyers who represented Sanchez then.
Sanchez was convicted of the rape of UP-Los Baños student Aileen Sarmenta.
He was also convicted of her murder and that of her friend Allan Gomez in 1993. With a report from Moira Encina
