Leviste's nephew saddened by uncle's arrest

The nephew of former Batangas governor and convicted killer Jose Antonio Leviste was saddened by the arrest of his uncle for evasion of service of sentence. “Magiging hipokrito po ako pag sinabi kong hindi ako nalulungkot sa sinapit ni Governor Tony," said Jose Antonio “Mark" Leviste II, incumbent Batangas vice governor, in a news report on GMA News’ “24 Oras" on Thursday. He, however, pointed out that he does not tolerate illegal, dishonest, and fraudulent activities. Mark recalled that his uncle once legally left the New Bilibid Prison after securing a pass from authorities. “Sa isang pagkakataon, siya po ay dinala sa dentista para magkaroon ng tooth extraction o transplant. Minsan, nakakaranas siya ng severe tooth pain," he said in the report, claiming that his uncle has no intention to escape from the penitentiary.

Mark said he does not want Bureau of Corrections director Ernesto Diokno to be involved in the controversy. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima had already created a panel that will determine Diokno’s liability. According to Mark, his uncle went to secure a pass from Diokno’s office to temporarily leave NBP, but the official was not there at the time. Mark, over “24 Oras," apologized to Diokno. “Ako’y naniniwala na hindi dapat nasangkot ang kanyang pangalan at reputasyon." Leviste was arrested by agents from the National Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday after finding he left the national penitentiary without a pass. An evasion of service of sentence complaint was filed against him with the Department of Justice. If a court finds Leviste guilty, six more years will be added to his sentence of six to 12 years for homicide. Leviste was convicted of homicide in 2009 for the killing of his friend Rafael de las Alas two years earlier. — Jesse Edep/KBK, GMA News