Leviste transferred to Bilibid

Former Batangas governor Jose Antonio Leviste, who was convicted of homicide by a Makati judge, was transferred from the Makati City Jail to the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) last night.

Leviste’s transfer to the NBP followed an order by Makati RTC Judge Elmo Alameda. The order was issued Friday afternoon and sent to the Makati City Jail.

Leviste’s lawyer, Henry Capela, earlier filed a petition for a review of the case before the Court of Appeals. He is questioning whether Alameda still has jurisdiction over the case since they have elevated it to the CA, which has raffled it off to its third division.

Superintendent Bartolome Bustamante, head executive assistant of Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director Oscar Calderon, said Leviste arrived at the NBP premises at around 6:45 p.m. on board a Bureau of Jail Management and Penology van. He was escorted by BJMP-Makati personnel.

Leviste was driven straight to the NBP’s Reception and Diagnostic Center (RDC) where he will reportedly undergo the necessary medical and psychological tests. “He (Leviste) needs to be examined first so that his overall profile that included ‘personal circumstances’ would have to be established,” Bustamante said.

He said Leviste will be subjected to a “five-day quarantine” wherein he will not be allowed to accept any visitor, including family members. Only his lawyer will be allowed to visit him during this period.

As to friends who are interested in visiting Leviste in prison, they will have to file an official request with the office of the BuCor director.

Bustamante said Leviste will have to remain in the RDC for two months to be able to complete the necessary tests to prepare him for life inside the NBP.

“After two months, members of the NBP Classification Board will evaluate him, and determine where he will finally be detained. He could be sent to the Maximum Detention Center but if he will be given consideration because of his old age and medical condition, he can also be sent to the Minimum Security Cell. However, it will really depend on the outcome of the NBP Classification Board’s evaluation,” he said.

Bustamante said that just like other inmates at the NBP, Leviste will have to have a haircut and wear the orange-colored prison uniform.

Leviste’s two daughters, one of whom is equestrienne Toni Leviste, accompanied their father to the NBP. “There is no need to worry since security even at the RDC is tight,” Bustamante added.

Leviste was found guilty and sentenced to a maximum of 12 years imprisonment by the Makati Regional Trial Court last Jan. 14 for the death of his long-time aide Rafael delas Alas.   – With Non Alquitran