In the middle of an intense debate over the cases of Gretchen Diez, a transgender who allegedly was refused entry by a restroom attendant inside the women’s room of a mall and suddenly became a PR icon of those who wish to ride on the controversy and the hardline protests of the academe over the deployment of uniformed and armed personnel inside the different universities and colleges around the country, a rapist, drug addict and a murderer former mayor would have been freed today if not for the massive dissent and opposition of the populace.

Former Calauan, Laguna mayor Antonio Sanchez was convicted in 1995 for the rape and murder of University of the Philippines Los Bańos (UPLB) student Eileen Sarmenta and her companion Allan Gomez in June 1993. He was sentenced to 7 terms of reclusion perpetua or a total of 280 years. In 1996, he got another conviction for the murder of father and son Nelson and Rickson Peńalosa. 

The rape and murder of Sarmenta was beyond controversial based on the testimonies presented in the course of the hearing. Sarmenta was brought to Sanchez by at least six of his men as a “present”. After raping her, the ex-mayor gave Sarmenta to his men and each took turns raping her before one of them fired his gun through her head that killed her instantly. The crime committed against the helpless student was so brutal that “her vagina was still spilling semen and fluid as the dead body is undergoing medico-legal examination.”

In 2013, former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino signed RA 10592 or generally known as the Good Conduct Time Allowance Law. The intention of the law perhaps is noble as it will give second chances to those prisoners who have shown remorse on the crime they have committed and have shown notable signs of reform while serving their sentences. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of its retroactivity making the Revised Penal Code as its basis.

Last week Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra announced that they are working for the qualification and release of more than 10000 convicts, murderer and rapist Antonio Sanchez included per RA 10592.

His announcement angered the Filipinos and momentarily silenced Malacanang. The usually noisy and flamboyant mouth of President Rodrigo Duterte became mum and suspicious. The usual “food testers and tasters” of Digong went to the frontlines.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that DOJ is only implementing the law suggesting that Sanchez may have shown good conduct. Panelo was the lawyer of Sanchez. 

Senator Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa, the former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who managed and implemented the deadly anti-illegal drugs campaign of Duterte which killed more than 20 thousand Filipinos suddenly went to the frontlines and contradicted himself. He declared that there is nothing wrong in giving Sanchez a second chance as the rapist and murderer may have shown good character inside the National Penitentiary. Bato supported the murder of drug suspects especially those living below the poverty line. Swiftly, Bato wants to give a murderer and a rapist second chance.

The anger of Filipinos, however, did not subside. The statements of Panelo and Bato only added salt to the wound. 

Of course, it would be better if the good conduct of Sanchez is defined first in order to give credence to the second chance that Panelo and Bato would like to extend to him. 

In 2010, he was caught in possession of drug paraphernalia and packets of shabu and marijuana while in detention. The illegal drugs worth several millions of pesos were stashed under the statue of Virgin Mary inside his cell. In 2015, he was caught in enjoying the prohibited items for a convict which include possession of a flat TV and an air-conditioning unit.

Perhaps the sense of right and wrong of both Panelo and Bato is different or their idea of good conduct is so special that it would include using illegal drugs and engaging in illegal activities.

However, if one will analyze it further, Panelo is an officer of the court and Bato is a decorated officer. It is impossible that they have become idiots overnight. It is always a simple and naïve question of who ordered what. The kitchen is burning hell. 

So another man is sent to the frontlines. Bureau of Corrections Chief Nicanor Faeldon announced that they are still evaluating the case of Sanchez because his record would show that his conduct was not that good after all. Splendid! DOJ changed their tone. They just declared that Sanchez is not illegible to qualify and benefit RA 10592. 

Now, Duterte is mad that Sanchez, an animal was considered to benefit the good conduct time allowance. 

What a beautiful story. Good thing the Filipinos did not buy it.