Did Faeldon lie to the Senate? Sotto says he can't remember

As far as Senate President Vicente Sotto III is concerned, former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Nicanor Faeldon has never been accused of lying during his appearances in the Senate hearing on the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law.

“Wala akong natatandaan na napag-iinitan siya tungkol sa pagsisinungaling... nitong mga nakaraang hearing,” Sotto said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

Sotto was asked on why Faeldon was never cited in contempt and consequently detained like what happened to three BuCor officials during Thursday's hearing.

During the hearing last week, BuCor legal division chief Fredric Anthony Santos said Faeldon was made aware of Department of Justice Memo 953, which states

that releasing convicts sentenced to life imprisonment or reclusion perpetua, whether or not through GCTA, would require the department's approval.

Santos' statement contradicted Faeldon's claim, made last week, that he was not aware of the memo.

Santos, however, could not remember exactly when he had spoken to Faeldon about the matter.

Faeldon also admitted before the senators that he signed a memo ordering the release of convicted rapist-murderer Antonio Sanchez but had to recall it later on. But when asked by Senator Panfilo Lacson if he has documentary proof that he indeed recalled the memo, Faeldon could not provide any.

More to come?

Sotto, however, said the Senate will not hesitate to cite more witnesses in contempt for lying, including Corrections Officer III Veronica Buño and Corrections Senior Inspector Mabel Bansil, who apparently cleared their phone records ahead of the Senate’s GCTA probe.

Yolanda Camilon, wife inmate Godfrey Gamboa, has accused BuCor officials, including Buño, of collecting money in exchange for the release of inmates under the GCTA law. Camilon presented phone call with Buño as evidence.

“May sabit pa itong mga ito, kaya nga ito sinuspend ng Ombudsman eh. Inaantay lang natin ‘yung [resulta ng] voice recognition process na ginagawa ng NBI (National Bureau of Investigation),” Sotto said.

Ombudsman has already ordered the six-month suspension without pay of at least 30 prison officials in connection with the GCTA mess.   —Llanesca T. Panti/KBK, GMA News