The agency will discuss the issues surrounding BuCor next week, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said. He added Malacañang may have “primary jurisdiction” on the matter since Faeldon is a presidential appointee.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 31) — Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto wants President Rodrigo Duterte to step in as the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) comes under fire for the questionable release of some convicts.
“PRRD must revamp the entire officialdom of the BuCor. This travesty of Justice is condemnable!” Sotto said in a tweet on Saturday.
He was reacting to a report that Faeldon signed the early release order of former Calauan, Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez, a convicted rapist and murderer. Faeldon earlier denied ordering Sanchez’s release which has sparked public outrage.
“Bakit lahat ng malipatan nitong official na ito may iskandalo? Saan kaya siya sunod ililipat? (Why is there scandal everywhere this official goes? Where will he be transferred next?)” Sotto said.
Faeldon resigned as Customs Commissioner in August 2017 after a ₱6.4-billion drug shipment entered the country from China. He was also accused of accepting bribes, a claim he has repeatedly denied. Duterte appointed him to the Office of Civil Defense four months after, and then to the BuCor in October 2018.
BuCor has hogged the headlines after news that Sanchez may be freed through the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) provision of the Revised Penal Code, which cuts inmates’ jail time based on good behavior.
BuCor data show that 1,914 of more than 20,000 prisoners who served shorter jail time through the GCTA were guilty of heinous crimes. They should be sent back to jail, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said. But the Justice Department, which supervises the BuCor, said the possibility of rearresting them needs more study.
Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson pointed out that 48 of those released were convicted of drug-related crimes, including five Chinese drug lords. Government inaction would cast doubts on the President’s war against illegal drugs, the former national police chief said.
PRRD must revamp the entire officialdom of the BuCor. This travesty of Justice is condemnable!
— Tito Sotto (@sotto_tito) August 30, 2019
READ: Early release ‘impossible’ for Antonio Sanchez – BuCor chief
In Sanchez’s case, he was sentenced to seven terms of reclusion perpetua or up to 40 years of imprisonment for the rape and murder of Mary Eileen Sarmenta and the killing of Allan Gomez, students of the University of the Philippines Los Baños in Laguna, in 1993. His punishment would total 280 years, but under the law, maximum prison time shall not exceed 40 years.
Malacañang blocked Sanchez’s release, saying those convicted of heinous crimes should serve their full sentence.
READ: Computing ‘good conduct’: How time served in prison is shortened based on behavior
READ: The heinous crimes of ex-Mayor Antonio Sanchez
“If the President does not take drastic action on this latest caper of an official who was recycled in spite of questionable actions committed in his previous assignments… we should start thinking if there is seriousness in this administration’s much touted war against drugs and corruption midway into his 6-year term,” Lacson said in a statement Saturday.
