Ombudsman tags at least 2 BuCor execs in GCTA mess; partial report out soon

MANILA, Philippines — Ombudsman Samuel Martires revealed Wednesday that his office is nearing the completion of the gathering of evidence against at least two officials of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) who are among those responsible for irregularities in the implementation of the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law.

“Give me two to three weeks and we will be able to submit a partial report or result of the investigation,” he told Senate reporters in a chance interview. “Siguro ‘yung mga involved dito mga dalawa or tatlong tao, na halos nakukumpleto na namin ‘yung ebidensya [laban sa kanila] (Those involved could be two or three, and we are almost done in gathering of evidence against them).”

The Office of the Ombudsman is currently investigating officials and former directors of the BuCor since the Republic Act 10592 or the GCTA law was implemented in 2014 until the time of sacked BuCor chief Nicanor Faeldon.

Martires, however, did not name the officials he was referring to pending further investigation on the anomalies in the enactment of the GCTA law, which shortens the prison sentence of inmates based on good conduct while in jail.

“Kulang pa ng konting-konti na lang na documento para masemento namin lahat ‘yung mga findings (We only lack a few documents to make concrete findings),” he said.

He also revealed that the investigation may also cover undersecretaries of the Department of Justice who had been designated as Undersecretary for Correctional System, but expressed doubt they could be involved in the irregularities. BuCor is an attached agency of the DOJ.

According to Martires, incumbent officials found responsible for anomalies in the implementation of the GCTA law may be held liable of bribery and administrative cases including conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and gross negligence.

A total of 30 BuCor officials were earlier suspended for six months without pay by the Office of the Ombudsman as the investigation continues. /je