Faeldon liable for release of convicts of heinous crimes, GCTA co-author says
MANILA, Philippines — Embattled Bureau of Corrections Director General Nicanor Faeldon should be held liable for the early release of prisoners convicted of heinous crimes, a co-author of the Good Conduct Time Allowance law said.
Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (Cagayan de Oro) said Faeldon failed to "harmonize the law" as there should have been no release of those convicted of heinous crimes under Republic Act 10592, the law that expanded the number of days subtracted from a prisoner's sentence for each month of good conduct.
The GCTA has been in the Revised Penal Code since the 1930s.
"He is liable as far as I can see the clear spirit and intent of the law is that they should not release heinous crimes (convicts)," Rodriguez told ANC's "Headstart" Tuesday morning.
Citing RA 10592, Rodriguez pointed out that Faeldon, as chief of the BuCor, is mandated to grant time allowances.
The BuCor chief, the chief of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and/or the jail warden shall grant allowances for good conduct, under the GCTA Law.
Section 6 of RA 10592 states that, "Faithful compliance with the provisions of this Act is hereby mandated. As such, the penalty of one year imprisonment, a fine of P100,000 and perpetual disqualification to hold office shall be imposed against any public officer or employee who violates the provisions of this Act."
Rodriguez pointed out that Faeldon violated this provision of the GCTA Law in signing the release order of convicted rapist and murderer Antonio Sanchez, who is also former mayor of Calauan, Laguna.
Faeldon had also confirmed that four Chinese drug lords have been released in June. He also confirmed he signed the release orders of three persons convicted for the 1997 murder of sisters Jacqueline and Marijoy Chiong in Cebu.
"Let the administrative process go... which the administrative is he can be investigated by the Department of Justice and the penalty there is dismissal," Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez added that Faeldon and other members of the evaluation screening committee that recommended the release of convicts of heinous crimes should also be charged.
"They will be liable and that is therefore administrative liability and criminal liability," the GCTA co-author said. — Patricia Lourdes Viray
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