Bureau of Corrections stands by computation of 'chop-chop' killer's time served

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) will stand by its computation of the time served in prison by the American man convicted for the gruesome “chop-chop lady” killing in the 1990s.

BuCor head executive assistant Superintendent Bartolome Bustamante issued the statement yesterday after the camp of murder convict Stephen Mark Whisenhunt filed graft charges against him, BuCor director Oscar Calderon, assistant director for administration and reformation Teodora Diaz, and documents section chief Zenaida Hierco before the Ombudsman.

Whisenhunt, who was sentenced to reclusion perpetua for killing Elsa Castillo and chopping up her body, accused the officials of giving undue preference to former congressman Romeo Jalosjos, who was pardoned in March 2009.

In his complaint, he said if the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) computation used for Jalosjos was the same computation used for him, he should have been freed five months ago.

Based on BuCor’s math, however, Bustamante maintained that the American convict has so far served only 24 years, seven months, and 18 days. “I don’t know where they got their formula but based on our books (Whisenhunt) still has five years to serve,” he told The STAR.

He said this computation already include the GCTA, credit for preventive imprisonment, and colonist status allowance. Inmates with colonist status are given certain privileges like a fixed term of 30 years.

Bustamante also said Whisenhunt and Jalosjos’s cases could not be used for comparison as computations are case specific. Among the differences he cited include the period when the two were given colonist status.

Bustamante said they welcome the complaint but added that they were “surprised” to learn that charges have been filed against them as they have held several meetings with Whisenhunt’s lawyer, Johannes Pilapil.

He said the case has already been elevated to the Department of Justice. “They seem to ignore our explanation,” he said, adding “this is the first time that a convict challenged the director’s computation and we are ready to prove we are right.”

Bustamante said they have yet to receive a subpoena from the Ombudsman but they would immediately forward their explanation upon receipt of the complaint.