At the Senate hearing on the release of heinous crime convicts via GCTA, Sen. Lacson showed documents indicating BuCor director general Nicanor Faeldon signed the release order for former Calauan (Laguna) Mayor Antonio Sanchez, who was convicted for the rape-killing of Eileen Sarmenta and killing of Allan Gomez in 1993 .
Lacson also said the signing of release orders for convicts in the rape-killing of the Chiong sisters in Cebu in 1997 by Maria Fe Marquez for Faeldon was a violation of the law.
He questioned as well the release of convicted Taiwanese drug lord Chen Chang from the Davao Penal Colony last April 3.
Related:
#PingSays: Sec. Panelo’s ‘Referral’ for ex-Mayor Sanchez; Sanchez Release and GCTA Issue (Sept. 3)
‘Bakit Kailangan Madaliin?’ BuCor Execs Grilled over Hurry to Release ‘Special’ Convicts (Sept. 5)
Facebooking from Maximum Security: Mobile Phones, Drugs and Firearms in Bilibid (Sept. 9)
‘TALAMAK ANG KORAPSYON!’ 7 Major Moneymaking Schemes at Bilibid Bared (Sept. 12)
QUOTES and NOTES:
Release Order for MAYOR ANTONIO SANCHEZ:
Sen. Lacson showed Faeldon signed the release order for Sanchez on Aug. 20, 2019, after having Faeldon affirm that his signature was on the document. “Documents won’t lie. You admitted that is your signature. There is no point debating.” He also noted Sanchez’s release was preempted due to public outrage. “What has been clearly established is that a release order has been signed. If not for public outrage, wala na si Sanchez, nakauwi na ng Calauan.”
Release order for CONVICTS in the RAPE-KILLING of the CHIONG SISTERS in Cebu in 1997:
The release orders dated Aug. 16, 2019 were signed by Maria Fe Marquez for Faeldon – a violation of the law, which allows only the BuCor chief to sign such documents. “The law is very clear… Ako hindi ako abogado but what the law excludes it does not include.”
Under RA 10592, only the BuCor director, the BJMP chief and/or the warden of a provincial, district, municipal or city jail shall grant allowances for good conduct.
Sen. Lacson suggested that the Chiong family seek redress from the Supreme Court for the BuCor’s “grave abuse of discretion” in releasing the convicts. “I also came from Cebu, more or less I know the family of the Chiong sisters. I’m interested kung anong remedy ang pwede nilang gawin.”
Release order for CONVICTED TAIWANESE DRUG LORD CHEN CHANG:
Sen. Lacson also questioned the release of convicted Taiwanese drug lord Chen Chang from the Davao Penal Colony last April 3. To Davao regional superintendent Melencio Faustino, he said: “You usurped the authority of the Director General of BuCor.”
Lacson also lamented such releases rendered moot the millions of pesos spent by the government to ensure the conviction of one drug trafficker. “Based on my own experience … we spend millions for (building a case and ensuring the conviction of one) drug trafficker. We have to spend for lawyers, sometimes enlist private lawyers para mas siguradong ma-convict.”
*****
Watch the entire hearing here. Video courtesy: Senate PRIB
*****