MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte will wait for the outcome of the Senate’s investigation into the controversial release of heinous crime convicts before deciding on the fate of Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Nicanor Faeldon and other officials, according to Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo.
He added Duterte chose to maintain the status quo as the inquiry into the Republic Act 10592 or the Good Conduct Time Allowance law is still ongoing.
“As regards the officials in the BuCor, the President will maintain the status quo until the Congressional hearings are concluded,” Panelo said.
“He will be monitoring the conduct of the legislative investigation and give appropriate consideration to the findings of the Congress,” he added.
Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go said Duterte is set to conduct his own investigation into the controversial release of thousands of heinous crimes convicts due to the GCTA law.
“Sabi ni Pangulong Duterte, pa-iimbestigahan niya ito. Definitely heads will roll. Ang Pangulo ay mag-iimbestiga ng kanyang sarili kung meron ba talagang korapsyon,” Go said.
“Very inconsistent ‘yung sinasabing sino ang pumirma. Lahat ng pumirma ay dapat managot bakit nila pinayagang i-release ang mga (convicted) ng heinous crimes,” he added.
Faeldon was in hot water for allegedly allowing the release of some notorious convicts, including the five Chinese drug lords and some of individuals tagged in the rape-slay of sisters Jacqueline and Marijoy Chiong.
Former Calauan mayor Antonio Sanchez was nearly released by Faeldon after he admitted to signing a memorandum order recommending the release of persons deprived of liberty (PDL) only to retract it.
Sanchez was one of the PDLs earlier reported to benefit from Republic Act 10592, which entitles selected inmates to “reduced” prison terms in exchange for good conduct.
He was convicted for the 1993 rape and murder of University of the Philippines -Los Baños student Eileen Sarmenta and the murder of her friend, Allan Gomez./PN
