MANILA, Philippines – Opposition Senators Risa Hontiveros and Leila de Lima called on President Rodrigo Duterte to dismiss Bureau of Correction (BuCor) chief Nicanor Faeldon over the questionable application of the law which allows the early release of convicts based on “good conduct time.”
Hontiveros said Faeldon “does not deserve the trust of the Filipino people.”
Faeldon was embroiled in the controversy following media reports on the impending release of former Calauan, Laguna mayor Antonio Sanchez which was met with public outrage.
Sanchez was convicted in 1995 for the rape and murder of student Eileen Sarmenta and the murder of her friend, Allan Gomez. He was sentenced to seven terms of reclusion perpetua.
Faeldon has repeatedly denied any involvement in the looming release of Sanchez but Hontiveros pointed out that his signature appeared on Sanchez’s release order dated August 20.
“Faeldon looked at the Filipino people square in the face, and lied. That alone is reprehensible enough,” Hontiveros said in a statement issued on Sunday.
“But the fact that he effectively coddled an unrepentant convicted rapist and murderer, turned a blind eye to Sanchez’s crimes while he is in prison and lied to the public, is a gross violation of the oath of office that all civil servants take,” she added.
She also slammed Faeldon for releasing a number of Chinese drug traffickers despite the opposition of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
“And now Faeldon’s office allegedly released a number of Chinese drug traffickers despite the opposition of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) which described the decision as ‘not conforming to the process,’” she said.
Hontiveros noted that this is not the first time that Faeldon was involved in controversy in terms of handling critical positions.
She said that when Faeldon was the head of the Bureau of Customs, P6.4 billion worth of shabu from China slipped through Philippines ports and the “tara system” worsened.
“It seems that everywhere Faeldon goes, corruption and abuse of power follow,” Hontiveros said.
“But what is perhaps the greatest casualty of Faeldon’s gross incompetence and abuse of authority as BuCor chief is Republic Act 10592 which increases the good conduct time allowance (GCTA) that can be deducted from an inmate’s total prison term.”
“The measure is actually a good law consistent with the principles of restorative justice. But because of Sanchez and the release of several Chinese drug traffickers, Faeldon cast unnecessary doubts on the law, and placed in limbo the chance for a second life of many deserving inmates who have made great effort at repentance and rehabilitation,” she further stated.
She then urged President Duterte to immediately fire Faeldon, citing a provision of the law on GCTA which penalizes officials who violate it with imprisonment and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
“Faeldon should be removed from public office and charged with the appropriate administrative and criminal cases,” she said.
“President Duterte should stop his practice of recycling questionable appointees from one department to another. The courtroom, where he should stand accused of obstructing justice and betraying the public interest, should be the last stop for the overly recycled and department-hopping Faeldon,” she added.
She also called for the overhauling of the BuCor, including its personnel and internal procedures, saying the country’s “struggling justice system cannot afford further damage” by people “who are only too willing to bend it.”
De Lima, for her part, blamed Duterte for the recycling of corrupt public officials.
“BuCor Director General Nicanor Faeldon is just one of several Duterte appointees who are seemingly untouchable in spite of the more than a whiff of corruption associated with them. I need not name the others,” De Lima said in a statement.
“Why can’t Mr. Duterte get rid of these incorrigible subalterns of his? Are they that indispensable? For what ends? What hold do they have on him?” she added.
Faeldon has been summoned to the Senate Monday to attend an inquiry into the application of the new GCTA rule.
Malacañang earlier said that the Duterte has yet to speak on the status of Faeldon amid calls for his dismissal from office.
The post Hontiveros, De Lima want Faeldon dismissal over release of convicts appeared first on UNTV News.