After Albayalde, Senate should now exact Faeldon’s accountability over GCTA mess, BOC shabu scandal – Pangilinan

CAVITE, Philippines — A joint Senate panel should now release its findings on the investigation into the scandal-ridden good conduct time allowance (GCTA) law to determine the accountability of sacked Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Nicanor Faeldon.

Senator Francis Pangilinan said this after the Senate blue ribbon and justice committees recently released its report on the “ninja cops” controversy.

The said report recommended the filing of drug and graft charges against resigned Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde and 13 others over the questionable 2013 Pampanga drug sting.

“Pipirma ako (sa report), I agree na talagang may pananagutan si Albayalde sa nangyari,” Pangilinan told reporters in an interview.

(I will sign the report, I agree that Albayalde has accountability for the incident.)

“Ang gusto kong i-follow up, kailan yung GCTA?…Kasi yun ang nauna eh. Pero parehong mahalaga. Parehong importante, pero sana, hindi na rin magtagal o hindi magtagal,” he added.

(I want to know when will the GCTA report be out. This matter was taken up first so this is very important.)

“(Sana) lumabas na rin ag report and findings dito sa GCTA at ang pananagutan ni Faeldon,” he further said.

(I hope the GCTA report will be made public which should include Faeldon’s complicity.)

The same committees investigating the so-called “ninja cops” were first doing an inquiry into the implementation of the GCTA law.

During previous hearings on the issue, Faeldon was grilled for the alleged wrongful release of heinous crime convicts through the said law.

This prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to fire Faeldon from his post as BuCor chief.

Faeldon previously led the Bureau of Customs (BOC) but later vacated his post after he was dragged into a P6.5-million shabu smuggling scandal in 2017.

Asked if Faeldon should be held accountable just like Albayalde, Pangilinan said: “Palagay ko (I think so).”

“Maliwanag naman…In fact dalawa pa nga ang ilabas diyan kay Faeldon,” the senator said.

(It’s very clear. In fact, two reports should be released about Faeldon.)/ac