Leviste granted parole, released from prison

Convicted killer former Batangas Governor Antonio Leviste is now a free man. Leviste walked to his freedom Friday morning after being granted parole, along with 34 other inmates. The Parole and Probation Administration said it considered five conditions in granting parole to the 73-year-old Leviste including serving the minimum sentence for his homicide conviction, old age, and that he is no longer considered a threat to the community. It also said the Metropolitan Trial Court had paved the way for Leviste's early release after it acquitted Leviste in a separate case of evasion of service of sentence. Back in February 2011, Leviste was caught outside the New Bilibid Prison, strolling around Makati exposing the special privileges given to VIP prisoners. In 2009, Leviste was convicted of killing his long-time aide Rafael Delas Alas in 2007. Upon his release, Leviste said he is looking forward to a fresh start. Leviste went straight to his home province of Batangas. ANC Dateline Philippines, December 6, 2013