“…Your rulers are rebels, partners with thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts…” –Isaiah 1:23

This column seeks to highlight a portion of RA 10592, an amendment to the Revised Penal Code referred to as the “Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) Law,” which reduces prison time for inmates for “good conduct or exemplary behavior” while behind bars. Section 1 of the law states: “Recidivists, habitual delinquents, escapees, and persons charged with heinous crimes are excluded from the coverage of this act.” Given that condition, is Antonio Sanchez, former mayor of Calauan, Laguna, entitled to a reduce prison term?
According to official documents, Sanchez was jailed following the rape and murder of Eileen Sarmenta, along with the related murder of Alan Gomez. What kind of cases are rape and murder charges?  Clearly, they are considered heinous crimes since those found guilty are eligible for life sentences. The former mayor has been charged, tried, and convicted of three separate crimes (all heinous in nature), there should be no question that he cannot be released based on GCTA.

Why did Faeldon sign the release order?
Why did Bureau of Corrections Director-General Nicanor Faeldon sign Sanchez’ release order? The government official should have known the details of RA 10592 and, given his experience as a military official, should have understood the former mayor is now eligible to benefit from the law.
Faeldon must have given a compelling reason for his actions and something the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, under the leadership of Senator Richard Gordon, must review. However, the Bureau of Corrections official is not someone who can be easily cowed to allowing Sanchez’ release.

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