Senate panels recommend graft raps vs Faeldon over GCTA scandal
Credit to Author: Bernadette Tamayo| Date: Wed, 05 Feb 2020 11:15:05 +0000
FOUR Senate committees have recommended the filing of graft charges against sacked Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Nicanor Faeldon for his alleged involvement in the good conduct time allowance (GCTA) scandal.
In a 34-page report, the Senate committees on justice, constitutional amendments, blue ribbon, and finance accused Faeldon of wrongdoing when he did not follow the procedures of Department [of Justice] Order (DO) 953 in releasing convicts under the GCTA scheme, particularly convicted rapist-killer former Calauan, Laguna mayor Antonio Sanchez.
Sanchez was convicted of killing University of the Philippines Los Baños student Eileen Sarmenta and her companion, Allan Gomez, in June 1993.
During the Sept. 4, 2019 public hearing on the controversy, Faeldon testified, “The Department Order 953 was practically not familiar with me. I was not even apprised of that department order by anybody in the Bureau of Corrections in my entire stay there.”
“Knowing that the DoJ (Department of Justice) has administrative supervision over BuCor and considering the gravity of the crimes of former Mayor Sanchez, Faeldon should have consulted with the Secretary of Justice regarding this,” said Gordon, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee who led the GCTA inquiry.
“His failure to consult the Secretary of Justice is gross inexcusable negligence on his part and shows how he did not exercise due diligence,” he added.
Aside from Faeldon, the committees found BuCor officials liable for grave offenses and direct bribery for “accepting money for the promise of early release of prisoners.”
They are Ramoncito Roque, chief of the documents and record section; Corrections Senior Inspector Benilda “Mabel” Bansil; and Corrections Officer Veronica “Boday” Buño, who were ordered dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman.
Also found to have committed grave abuse and direct bribery were officials of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) Hospital, including its head, Dr. Ermesto Tamayo; medical officer Ursicio Cenas; and nursing attendant Meryl Benitez.
Tamayo and Benitez were liable for malfeasance when they accepted money in exchange for inmates’ confinement at the NBP hospital. Cenas was accused of accepting money in exchange for medical records.
“The BuCor, alas, is manned by rotten apples, and corrupt officials. It is rotten to the core—and, from top to bottom. If we are to improve its functions, if we are to have the Bureau regain the trust of our people, no less than a massive change in personnel and in character is required,” Gordon said.
“Mere lancing of the boil will not be sufficient; putrefaction in that agency is so far advanced, only a total replacement of the whole bureaucracy will allow us to see a new, honest, sincere, serious, and effective agency,” he said.