Former mayor Sanchez should stay in jail, says Senator Bong Go

Convicted rapist and murderer former Calauan, Laguna mayor Antonio Sanchez is better off in jail, said Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Thursday.

“Mr Sanchez, ‘wag ka nang mangarap na makalaya pa. Ipagpatuloy mo na lang pagbayaran ang mga kasalanan mo dyan sa loob, kaysa lumabas ka, baka umikli pa ang iyong buhay," Go said during an interview.

Sanchez was reported to be among 11,000 inmates whose jail term are being reviewed under the RA 10592 which amended provisions of the Revised Penal Code and allowed the credit of preventive imprisonment and revision of good conduct time allowances (GCTA) of persons deprived of liberty.

Go said there is a need to study the case of Sanchez and that there should be no guarantee that he will be released.

“Dapat araling mabuti ang kaso niya. He did not apply for executive clemency. He is one of the names in the list of 10,000 inmates who may be benefited by RA 10592. However, this is not an automatic grant but will be subject to stringent evaluation as mentioned by SOJ (Secretary of Justice) and BuCor (Bureau of Corrections head) Faeldon,” he said.

Go sympathizes with the families of the victims of heinous crimes.

“I echo the sentiments of the families of the victims. First, show proof of good behavior and that these criminals will not be a threat to society anymore before we grant anything. I believe that’s the essence of the law,” the senator said.

Senator Go also said he supports the reinstitution of the death penalty and that he has filed filed Senate Bill No. 207, “An Act Reinstating the Death Penalty for Certain Heinous Crimes Involving Dangerous Drugs and Plunder” that seeks to "effectively promote peace and order in the country and support the relentless campaign of the administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte against illegal drugs, criminality and corruption." — BAP, GMA News