Senate halts probe on convicts’ release due to ‘urgent’ matters

Sen. Richard Gordon. INQUIRER.net file photo / CATHY MIRANDA

MANILA,  Philippines—The Senate committee on justice temporarily suspended on Thursday its hearing on the early release of heinous  crime convicts pending resolution of “highly urgent” issues.

The hearing started at 10.a.m but two hours later it was ordered suspended. When it resumed past 4 p.m., committee chair Senator Richard Gordon announced that the proceeding would be suspended but would still proceed later.

“There are certain incidents  that we’re reviewing are of a highly urgent nature and I’d like to say that we’d have to apologize to all of you. Pending the resolution of those issues, we’re going to suspend the hearing now,” Gordon said.

During the break,  sacked Bureau of Corrections  chief Nicanor Faeldon arrived to attend the hearing.

Gordon earlier said that  Faeldon’s camp  had informed   the committee that  he would not be able to attend the hearing.

“I was told just this morning that nakikiusap yung abugado ni Mr. Faeldon kung maaari, hindi daw siya dadalo,” Gordon said at the start of the hearing.

But Faeldon’s spokesman, Jose Diño Jr. said there was a mix-up on the schedule as the hearing was initially scheduled  at 3p.m, and not 10 a.m. 

READ: ‘Never been happier now:’ Relieved Faeldon says after dismissal

Gordon explained that  they adjusted  the schedule citing the “inability” of  one of the resource persons, Justice Secretary  Menardo Guevarra,  to  attend the afternoon hearing.

But  he said they made sure, however,  that everybody was informed. /jpv