Justice officials intervened and saved a convicted...

Justice officials intervened and saved a convicted rapist whom officials were set to execute despite a reprieve granted him two days earlier. Convict Esteban Victor Malacanang, who was sentenced to die by lethal injection for molesting his 15-year-old stepdaughter, escaped death with the help of Justice Secretary Artemio Tuquero and a radio interview by Executive Secretary Ronaldo B. Zamora. President Joseph Estrada had issued a reprieve, which was sent to the prison. But the reprieve order was not received and the convict was prepared for execution. The convict had been brought to the lethal injection chamber and was in the holding area when Executive Secretary Ronaldo B. Zamora confirmed the reprieve order during a radio interview. After hearing the interview, Justice Under-secretary Ramon A. Liwag telephoned the prison director and gave orders to stop the execution.