Vox populi, vox dei

According to the DOJ and the Bureau of Corrections, Antonio Sanchez, the former mayor of Calauan, Laguna, is not eligible for release on the basis of "good conduct". At separate press conferences, both DOJ Sec. Guevarra and BuCor Chief Faeldon said Sanchez is not eligible for Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA), a law that reduces time from life sentences due to good conduct. Sanchez did things that could not be considered "good conduct" while incarcerated. Sanchez should not also be released for his conviction for rape with multiple murder, a heinous crime. He has to finish his sentence to the very end. In fact, he should remain behind bars for the rest of his natural life. With Duterte stating that he will not allow the release of Sanchez, this contentious issue must end.

Here is where it becomes somewhat confusing. Sanchez and six of his men were sentenced to seven life terms each. Reclusion perpetua is equivalent to 40 years. So with seven life terms, that should amount to 280 years, which is practically saying they will never get out of prison alive. However, according to the law, no prisoner will be imprisoned for more than 40 years even if convicted of multiple murders. Apparently it does not matter if one or a hundred were murdered.

The DOJ intends to suspend the GCTA because of the outrage following the possible release of Antonio Sanchez. It is clear that Sanchez is not a model criminal with good conduct. But it's also clear that Ronald Cardema is no longer eligible to represent the youth since he is obviously over the age limit. And yet he is insistent on becoming his party-list's representative. Sanchez insists on his innocence. Who knows what could be the outcome of these two examples?

Aren't we glad that with the power of social media the people can immediately voice their approval or rejection on certain issues? The issue of Sanchez's possible release was just something the people could not accept, hence the immediate outrage from almost all sectors. Well, except from one senator. I wish it was composed of Leoncio Alburo as secretary, Fred S. Young as treasurer, James Case as superintendent, and Miguel Logarta as fiscal.

During the first local election on February 3-5, 1902, Don Julio Llorente lost the governorship to General Juan Faller Climaco. Llorente retired from Cebu politics after losing the election and returned to the judiciary. He became presiding judge in Luzon and Samar. He also became the first civilian governor of Samar. In his honor a town in Samar is named after him.