Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 8) — Former Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon said Friday that he is willing to go to jail rather than attend another Senate hearing.
“By Monday, I will go to (the) Senate and let myself (be) arrested,” Faeldon told reporters outside his house in Taytay, Rizal.
“But I will not go there to attend the hearing. Pwede nila akong buhatin, paupuin dun [They can carry me and sit me down there]. But still, my position is, I will not participate,” he added.
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on September 7 cited Faeldon for contempt for ignoring invitations to appear at the hearings on drug smuggling and corruption in the Bureau of Customs.
Read: Senate cites Faeldon in contempt for skipping probe on illegal drugs
“The chair orders Captain Faeldon in contempt and must report here on the next hearing on Monday,” said Blue Ribbon Committee chair Senator Richard Gordon.
The next committee hearing is on September 11.
The Blue Ribbon committee has held six hearings since July 31, 2017 until September 7. Of the six, Faeldon has only attended three.
It was during Faeldon’s term as head of the Bureau of Customs that ₱6.4 billion worth of shabu was smuggled from China into the Philippines in May 2017.
LOOK: How ₱6.4B-worth of shabu was shipped from China to PH
Gordon said on Friday that he will force Faeldon to talk on Monday.
“He’s going to sit and present himself because that is the order,” he said. “But if he refuses to answer, then we’ll do the next step, which is put him under formal arrest either staying in Senate, Pasay or Muntinlupa.”
In a letter to the Senate read out at the September 7 hearing, Faeldon said he had the “highest respect” for the Senate. But he added that he was skipping the probe as a form of “protest” and said he “no longer have faith in the impartiality of some of its members.”
“This is in protest to protect my rights and the rights of innocent resource persons currently invited and those who will be invited in the future,” he said.
He was almost cited in contempt on August 15 after he refused to answer questions from Senator Sonny Trillanes.
Read: Faeldon, Trillanes clash at Senate hearing on ₱6.4-B shabu shipment
In a privilege speech on August 23, Senator Ping Lacson also accused Faeldon and other customs officials of corruption. All have denied the accusation.
Read: Lacson links Faeldon to alleged Customs corruption
In his letter, Faeldon reiterated he is willing to face a court once cases are filed against him.
“I have appealed to the President and both houses of Congress for the immediate conduct of trial by a competent court to hear and decide all cases involving the drug shipment and the allegations of corruption in the bureau of customs so that justice will be served,” he said.
He also attached to the letter a waiver for the disclosure of his bank details.
“You are free to look into my bank accounts. All my brothers sisters, nephews, and nieces are also willing to sign a waiver of their bank accounts- just say the word,” he said.
CNN Philippines Senior Correspondent Cecille Lardizabal and Digital Producer Amanda Lingao contributed to this report.
