W"a".

rauy, September 4,2fiLg

I

Senate seeks GCTA credits halt,

House wants Faeldon charged
ENATE probers pressed
prison authorities on Tues-
day to suspend the issuance
of good conduct time allowance
(GCTA) credits to prisoners serv-
ing sentences for heinous crimes,
including controversial ex-Mayor
Antonio Sanchez, convicted ofrape
and murder.
The motion was adopted at a
hearing presided by Sen. Richard
Gorilon, who chairs. the Justice
comtuittee that led the joint inquiry
offive panels convened to consider
14 bills addressing reforms needed
in the national penitentiary
tem, among others.
Neophyte Senator Ronald dela
Rosa backed Senate President Vi-
cente Sotto III's move to suspend
GCTAs after getting updates frcim
prison authorities at Tuesday's joint
Senate inquiry.
Dela Rosa also confirmed
reports prisoners were allowed to
buildkubok or makeshift huts put up
by inmates cramped in a compound
sys- housing36,000 prisbners, noting that
many of them were "sleeping in road-
sides and basketball courts."
Sotto said this was why he filed
abill to improve penal institutions,
suggesting to DOJ officials to con-
sider putting jails under a regional
setup.
Snn "F^e,nloor.t," Az

"That gives us now the revelation that Faeldon has directed

Faeldon. . .
CoNTINUED FRoM A8
"Prisoners go wayward when not visited by relativesi'Sotto
said, and then, addressing Justice secretary Menardo Guevarra,
"l think it's about time, secretary."
At the same time, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon pinned
dqwn Undenecretary Nicanor Faeldon, Bureau of [orrections
.Fhief, for "signing Sanchez's release order despite claiming he
saw serious violations of G(Tg credit application in his carpeta,"
refening to the former Calauan, Laguna, mayor's prison record.
. Sen. Francis lolentino pointed out that an infraction was
commited "when a 6[TA was issued during the election period;
that was violati0n," but n0ted that Senate probers have yet
a clear
tobe provided with relevant documents, even as Faeldon confi rmed
the number ofthose released "might be Iin the] thousands."
Gordon said,"We asked forthl list but none has been given
yetl'He said theyexpectt0 have it in time, referring t0 documents
on drug lords released, includ ing inmates sentenced for heinous
crimes but were granted G(TA.
Charge Faeldon-House
MEMBERS of the House (ommittee on Justice said on Tuesday
there is basis to recommend the filing of criminal and
them n0ttof0ll0wthe departmentorder itself. lf itwasfollowed,
none ofthese heinous crime convicts would have been released,"
said (agayan de 0ro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez.
Faeldon failed t0 attend the lrearing of the House Justice
panel on Tuesday as he was also ordered to attend the second
-.day oFhearings by the Senate Committee 0n Justice.
At the hearing, Rodriguez asked Faustino why Bu(or did not
implement Department 0rder 935 directing it to submit to DOJ all
appealsfor early release and applications ofGflA ofconvicts serving
life sentences resulting from the commission of heinous crimes.
"There is a department0rderthaty0u are required to submit
the records of those who are meted out imprisonment 0f reclusion
perpetua to the ID0.1] secretary for his approval ofearly release
or GCTA application. May we know why you didn't follow the
department order?" asked Rodriguez.
Faustino replied,'bur director general [Faeldon] ordered us
not to transmit t0 anyone." He added, "Yes, your honor, we are
rem iss of ourdutyto transmit."According to Rodriguez, Faustin0,s
admission opens Faeldon to both criminal and administrative
charges for defying the DOJ order.
With this, Justice committee chairmanVeloso said the panel
might recommend the filing of graft charges against Faeldon.
Both Veloso and Rodriguez said the House needs to revisitthe
GCIA law to plug loopholes in the release from prison ofconvicts

,administrative cases against Faeldon.
At the committee's organizational hearing, 5upt. Melencio
Faustino, head ofthe Davao Penal Farm, admitted that Faeldon
had directed them n0t to submit to the DOJ the GCTA records
of convicts applying for early release despite facing life prison
terms.
fating stiff prison terms f0r c0mmission of heinous crimes.
"Good behavior is s0 genericthat it requires m0re substantial
definitions. lt should be revisited. You must avail ofthe rules of
the house. You should not even indulge yourself in any drinking
activity. You should never violate any small rules of the house,"
he added. Eufcf Fern anda and Jovee Morie N. Delo Cruz

n, f%c*r -A &'