Eileen Sarmenta’s mom: Our justice system seems unfair

Maria Clara Sarmenta, the mother of rape-slay victim UP Los Baños student Eileen,  questioned the justice system in the country amid speculations that her daughter's convicted killer will soon be released from prison based on the law.

“It seems that our justice system, parang unfair. They are more inclined dun sa criminal kaysa doon sa partido ng biktima,” Sarmenta said in an interview on GMA News’ Unang Balita on Thursday.

Convicted murderer and rapist Antonio Sanchez is one of the 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.

Sanchez was convicted by the Pasig Regional Trial Court in 1995 for f the rape and murder of Eileen, and of the murder of her friend, Allan Gomez.

Former Calauan mayor Sanchez 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.

Sarmenta admitted that their family cannot help thinking that the impending release of Sanchez is due to his political clout and wealth.

“Hindi mo naman po maaalis sa amin na mag-isip ng ganun na parang palakasan at parang kung meron kang pera ay mabibili mo naman (ang kalayaan),” she said when asked if she thinks politics has something to do with the possible release of Sanchez.

“Hindi ko naman sinasabi na masama yung mga tao sa paligid niya, yung mga taong nagsisilbi sa gobyerno. Pero that’s a common thinking for an ordinary citizen like us,’ she added.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo was a legal counsel to Sanchez in the 1993 case.

Panelo has already denied claims that he played a role in the impending release of his former client.

If Sanchez’ release will be approved, Sarmenta wants to see proof of his good behavior, which is one of the qualifications to be eligible for the recomputation of good conduct time allowances.

“How they considered him as well-behaved when he lived like a king there (in prison). He has his own room with an aircon, with plasma TV, with cellphone…Tapos yung droga,” she said.

Moreover, Sarmenta said they will just accept Sanchez’ release if that is what the law recommends. But, she noted that Sanchez might be free from prison, but he still has the accountability to God.

“Makalaya man siya ngayon, e meron din siyang pananagutan sa ating Panginoong Diyos,” she said. —LBG, GMA News