Son of Leviste's victim: We have moved on

The son of the victim of convicted killer Jose Antonio Leviste said they did not oppose the parole granted to Leviste as they have already moved on from the issue.

“Kung sa amin, as I have said before, tapos na sa amin ang issue,” said Nazareth delas Alas, son of Leviste's long-time aide Rafael Delas Alas, in a “24 Oras” report Monday.

Leviste, a former Batangas governor who was convicted of killing the elder Delas Alas in 2007, was granted parole supposedly for good conduct.

President Benigno Aquino III, however, has questioned the approval of Leviste's parole application, noting his “escape” from prison two years ago.

Nazareth Delas Alas said the family has no problem with Aquino possibly reversing the parole.

“As the President, syempre he has the prerogative to investigate whatever na gusto niyang gawin, so okay lang,” he said.

Leviste was charged with murder for the killing of Delas Alas but was convicted in January 2009 for the lesser offense of homicide, with the court saying the killing did not appear to be premeditated.

He was punished to serve a minimum sentence of six years and a maximum sentence of 12 years, but it was slashed to just a little under five years after he earned “good conduct time allowance.”

In May 2011, Leviste was reported to have escaped from prison. He was re-arrested, transferred to the maximum security facility, and was slapped with fresh charges of evasion of service of sentence.

Aquino said Leviste's record is not indicative of good conduct. — Marc Jayson Cayabyab/KBK, GMA News