Sotto: Faeldon’s dismissal ‘expected’ as ‘controversy untenable’

Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III. INQUIRER.NET PHOTO/CATHY MIRANDA

MANILA, Philippines — While he already expected the dismissal of Nicanor Faeldon, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III wished the President had also demanded the resignation of other Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) officials.

“Expected. The controversy is untenable,” Sotto said in a text message on Wednesday when sought for comment on Faeldon’s sacking as BuCor chief.

President Rodrigo Duterte fired Faeldon amid the controversy on the early release of heinous crime convicts.

Asked if he was satisfied by the President’s move, Sotto said: “I expect the other officials to be asked to resign, too.”

Senator Joel Villanueva, meanwhile, commended the President’s move.

“This is a commendable move of the President in response to the series of failure in leadership of Faeldon and his association with corruption,” Villanueva said in a statement.

“We also look forward to the outcome of our Senate investigation,” he added.

The controversy on the early release of heinous crime convicts has been the subject of separate investigations in the Senate and the House of Representatives. /kga