Palace welcomes suspension of 27 BuCor execs; wants nothing but truth

Presidential Spokesperson
Salvador Panelo. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang welcomed on Tuesday the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman to suspend 27 Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) officials for six months who are facing grave misconduct cases for the release of heinous crime convicts under Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) Law.

“It was the President who referred the matter to the Ombudsman. So that should be [a] welcome [development],” Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

Ombudsman Samuel Martires signed the order on Monday, suspending BuCor officials Chief Supt. Gerardo Padilla, Senior Supt. Celso Bravo, SPO2 Ramoncito Roque and 24 others.

READ: Ombudsman suspends 27 BuCor officials in freedom-for-sale scandal

President Rodrigo Duterte fired on September 3 BuCor Nicanor Faeldon for disobeying an order not to release the heinous crime convicts.

He said he wanted Faeldon and other officials of the agency investigated by the Office of the Ombudsman.

READ: Duterte to Faeldon: You’re fired

“Well, the expectation is we want the truth on the matter in the bureau to come out so that the heads will roll,” Panelo said, referring to the Ombudsman investigation. /jpv