The Senate has issued a subpoena to Bureau of Corrections chief Nicanor Faeldon requiring him to appear in today’s hearing on the Good Conduct Time Allowance law.
Faeldon was summoned amid reports he would be skipping the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights hearing to attend a seminar organized by the Canadian Embassy where he is invited.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III signed the document Saturday.
Faeldon was initially invited by the Senate to shed light into the alleged release of former Calauan, Laguna mayor Antonio Sanchez – who was convicted of rape and murder – from the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.
But the invitation was converted into a subpoena after Faeldon’s office sent word that he won’t be able to attend the hearing due to a prior commitment.
In an interview last Saturday, Sen. Richard Gordon, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon and Justice and Human Rights committees, said it is imperative that Faeldon appears at the Senate probe and bring all the official records of the BuCor with him.
Gordon warned Faeldon he could be detained – not at the Senate – but at the Pasay City Jail if he refuses to heed the subpoena. “That is why to me, it’s important that when you are called by the Senate, you should appear. And bring the records with you,” Gordon said.
The hearing will also look into the reported release of convicts serving sentences for heinous crimes.
Faeldon had earlier denied signing any release order for Sanchez, but the ex-mayor’s family claimed that his release papers were signed last Aug. 20.
A document showing Faeldon’s signature approving the release of an inmate named Antonio Leyva Sanchez had earlier surfaced. The alleged release order stated that he was found to have served 40 years upon retroactive application of Republic Act 10952 or the GCTA law.
Sanchez was convicted for the rape-slay of University of the Philippines Los Baños student Eileen Sarmenta in 1995 and the killing of companion Allan Gomez. Six of his bodyguards were also convicted in the crime, which a judge of the case described as “a plot seemingly hatched in hell.”
Meanwhile, Faeldon still enjoys the trust and confidence of President Duterte until the Chief Executive says otherwise, Malacañang said yesterday, in the wake of calls for his dismissal over the controversial release of dozens of heinous crimes convicts.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo, however, assured that the President would listen to the concerns raised by some groups and make a decision on the fate of Faeldon.
“Wala pa naman siyang sinasabi. Hayaan natin si Presidente kung ano ang kanyang magiging desisyon dyan,” Panelo said. “Hangga’t hindi nagsasalita si Presidente, the presumption is he has the trust and confidence,” he said about Faeldon.
Panelo said people should let Duterte decide on calls to revamp BuCor over the alleged bungled implementation of the good conduct time law. “Lahat ng panawagan na ‘yan, pinapakinggan ni Presidente. Let him decide.” (Hannah Torregoza and Genalyn Kabiling)
