Palace on Faeldon's fate: 'Let's wait for the President'

MANILA. Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Nicanor Faeldon appears before the Senate on Tuesday, September 3, 2019. (Photo grabbed from Senate video)
MANILA. Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Nicanor Faeldon appears before the Senate on Tuesday, September 3, 2019. (Photo grabbed from Senate video)

UNLESS President Rodrigo Duterte decides otherwise, Malacañang said embattled Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Nicanor Faeldon stays.

"As far as I'm concerned, the President's statement is clear: There is an investigation and I'll wait for that investigation to terminate," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said on Tuesday, September 3.

He was referring to the joint hearing on the good conduct time allowance (GCTA) system being conducted by the Senate committees on justice and human rights; constitutional amendments and revision of codes; public order and dangerous drugs; finance; and Blue Ribbon.

"They will be having their own recommendations and the President will evaluate and make a decision, unless sooner decided by the President himself," he added.

Calls for Faeldon's dismissal from service have been made by several lawmakers following the outrage sparked by the release of prisoners based on good behavior as provided under the GCTA system.

Panelo said he could not categorically say that Faeldon continues to enjoy the President's trust and confidence.

"Until such time the President says, otherwise, then status quo remains, unless sooner changed," he said, when quizzed if Duterte still trusts Faeldon.

"In other words, the presumption is always the President gives his trust and confidence, but as he always tell[s] all of us, 'That is subject to change without prior notice. When I receive certain information that may impair the trust, then I will remove it.' So let's wait for the President," he added.

Records from the BuCor showed that over 22,000 prisoners, including 1,914 persons convicted of heinous crimes, were released from 2014 to early August 2019.

The data revealed that the number of freed heinous crime convicts significantly rose from 62 in 2014 to 816 in 2019.

Asked if Faeldon remains competent to lead the BuCor despite the recent controversies, Panelo said: "I cannot say anything about that because first, that lies on the President's discretion. I will not be prejudging any person in this arena."

Pressed again if the Palace still considers Faeldon as an asset of the government, Panelo said, "That's for the President to decide. That's not for me to decide. My duty is to echo what the President's thoughts are and not my personal opinion. And my opinion, personal is irrelevant to any matter concerning government affairs."

Faeldon first served as head of Bureau of Customs until he resigned in August 2016 after a P6.4-billion shabu shipment from China slipped through the bureau.

Duterte moved Faeldon to the Office of Civil Defense and eventually tapped him to head the BuCor in November 2018, replacing retired police chief Ronald dela Rosa who is now a senator.

On Monday, September 2, Faeldon said he believed there was no need for him to step down despite the growing outrage over his role in the early release of heinous crime convicts.

Asked if Duterte plans to fire Faeldon, Panelo said, "I do not know about his plans." (SunStar Philippines)

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph