Bureau of Corrections Director General Nicanor Faeldon (2nd from right). (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)
MANILA -- President Rodrigo Duterte will decide on the fate of Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Nicanor Faeldon and other officials once congressional hearings on the good conduct time allowance (GCTA) law are over, Malacañang said on Tuesday.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador said that while hearings are ongoing, Duterte will “maintain the status quo” but will consider congressional findings once they are concluded.
“As regards the officials in the Bureau of Corrections, the President will maintain the status quo until the congressional hearings are concluded,” Panelo said in a statement.
“He will be monitoring the conduct of the legislative investigation and give appropriate consideration to the findings of Congress,” he added.
On Monday, the Senate held its first hearing on the GCTA law, also known as Republic Act 10592, particularly the early release of inmates convicted of heinous crimes which was attended by Faeldon and other officials.
Faeldon admitted that he allowed the release of convicted rapist-murderer, former Calauan mayor Antonio Sanchez but insisted that he did not sign a release order.
Sanchez was sentenced to seven counts of reclusion perpetua (up to 40 years imprisonment) for the rape and murder of University of the Philippines Los Baños student Eileen Sarmenta and the murder of her companion, Allan Gomez in 1993.
The BuCor chief explained that the process of allowing Sanchez’s release was never completed.
After public outcry over the release of Sanchez and other inmates Faeldon said he stopped the process.
Faeldon said he personally did not want Sanchez to be released but was only following the GCTA guidelines. (PNA)
