Eileen Sarmenta’s mom: What good behavior? Sanchez paid nothing in damages

Convicted murderer and rapist Antonio Sanchez didn't pay a single centavo in court-mandated damages to the loved ones of Eileen Sarmenta, whom he raped and had killed in 1993.

Ma. Clara Sarmenta, mother of the slain UPLB student, said their family was shocked and confused by the news that Sanchez was about to be released on account of good behavior.

“Nung nalaman ko sa balita, nagulantang kami, litong lito. Bakit ganoon? Anong nangyari? Hindi po ako nakatulog," Sarmenta said on Super Radyo dzBB.

"Nanumbalik lahat ng sakit, lahat ng struggle, lahat ng pain na naramdaman ko nung time na iyon. Nagflashback lahat. Paano naging good behavior?” he added.

“Hindi po kami naghihintay ng financial damages, pero wala po siyang binayad kahit singko, kahit sampera, kahit isang kusing. Gusto po namin na malaman ng publiko iyon. Wala po kaming natanggap,” Sarmenta said. 

Recomputation

Sanchez is one of thousands of inmates eligible for the recomputation of good conduct time allowances on the basis of Republic Act No. 10592 and a Supreme Court ruling that made the effectivity of the law retroactive, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Tuesday.

Thousands of inmates could be released within the next two months, Guevarra told reporters in a phone interview.

Guevarra would not say how soon freedom could come for Sanchez, who is detained at the New Bilibid Prison.

The Pasig Regional Trial Court convicted Sanchez of rape and murder for Sarmenta's death and of murder for the killing of Sarmenta's friend, Allan Gomez, in 1995. Both were students of the University of the Philippines - Los Baños.

The town mayor was sentenced to seven terms of reclusion perpetua. The Supreme Court in 1999 upheld the Pasig court ruling. Reclusion perpetua is imprisonment for 30 to 40 years.

Panelo’s role eyed

Sarmenta said that the family was not informed by the Board of Parole and Pardon that Sanchez was looking for a commutation of sentence and could be out of prison in two months.

“Napakalakas naman masyado ni Sanchez sa ating pamahalaan. Sapagkat ba si Secretary Panelo ang legal counsel ni Sanchez nung nililitis ang kaso ng aking anak?" Sarmenta said.

"Sa tingin po namin, may backer talaga si Sanchez kasi hindi naman siya basta basta na bigla na lang macocommute ang sentence,” she added.

Panelo has denied any role in Sanchez's pending early release.

He quoted Guevarra, who adverted to the law on recomputing sentences based on good behavior and the Supreme Court decision mandating that the law's implementation be  applicable to those sentenced even before the measure was enacted.

Sarmenta said she would fight tooth and nail to stop Sanchez's early release.

“Hindi po kami papayag. Sino ang magtetestify ng good behavior? Sila-sila rin na nasa prison? Dapat may katibayan kaming makikita. Nahuhuli nga siya na may kubol eh, paano mo masasabi ng good behavior 'yun?” Sarmenta said.

“Mahirap po sabihin na nakuha na namin ang hustisya,” she added. —NB, GMA News