Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23) – Gregorio Catapang will be recommended as the new Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director general to replace Gerald Bantag, Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla told reporters on Monday.
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“He [Bantag] will be replaced as BuCor director,” he said.
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Remulla said he would push for Catapang’s permanent appointment as BuCor director general at a Cabinet meeting on Jan. 24.
Catapang said he only found out about his possible appointment the same day Remulla made the announcement.
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“Nagpapasalamat sa pangulo sa pagtitiwala niya sa atin… Ngayon lang po [nalaman], hindi ko na-expect kahit acting OIC [officer-in-charge],” Catapang said in an interview.
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[Translation: I’m thankful to president for his trust in me…I just found out now, I didn’t even expect to be appointed acting OIC]
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He said that, as a permanent appointee, he could “do all the powers that are given to me as director general which is reform agenda, full speed ahead.”
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Catapang said his marching orders were the regionalization of the BuCor: “Within three to four years, maisara na natin ang New Bilibid Prison na hindi na ito yung headquarters (we can phase out the New Bilibid Prison as the BuCor headquarters).”
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He added that he was not worried about possible challenges to his appointment.
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Catapang, a retired general and former Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff, has been acting BuCor chief since Bantag was first suspended on Oct. 21, 2022.
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When asked why it took months to eventually remove Bantag, Remulla said, “We are not in the business of replacing people just like that, we have to study everything and we have to wait for the developments to come in.”
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Bantag was first suspended for 90 days for his alleged involvement in the killing of journalist Percival ‘Percy Lapid’ Mabasa.
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READ: Marcos orders preventive suspension of BuCor chief amid probe on Percy Lapid slay
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On Jan. 19, 2023, Bantag was suspended for another 90 days when he approved the interview by Sonshine Media Network International of convicted kidnapper retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan.
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READ: Bantag suspended for another 90 days – DOJ
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