Faeldon accuses Gordon of keeping his family from him over Christmas holidays, other acts of ‘cruelty’

Former Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon has accused Senator Richard Gordon of cruelty after the chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee allegedly disallowed certain privileges while he remained in detention over the Christmas holidays after being cited for contempt.

In a statement posted on Twitter, Faeldon accused Gordon of depriving him of certain privileges, which include being with his family during the holidays, seeing a physician for a heart ailment, and being present at the birth of his youngest child.

pic.twitter.com/3LIhawsFXj

— Faeldon Legal Team (@FaeldonLegal) January 4, 2018

Faeldon added that he was deprived of what he called his right to his religious practices and to take his oath before officials of the Department of National Defense (DND) as newly appointed deputy administrator of the Office Civil Defense.

The former rebel officer continued to be in Senate detention after he was cited for contempt following his refusal to answer questions during the Blue Ribbon Committee's inquiry into corruption at the Bureau of Customs.

Faeldon, who accused Senator Panfilo Lacson's son of being involved in cement smuggling, indicated that Lacson was behind what he called cruel treatment against him while under detention.

"I was warned that if I came out with this press statement, my visitation rights would totally be cut-off, along with the electricity and water in my detention room," Faeldon said.

In a text message to GMA News Online, Gordon said Faeldon's request for furlough to see his family for the holidays could not be granted because he is held for contempt.

"The citation for contempt was, and still is, a collegial act which the Chair, on his own, cannot reverse," Gordon said.

Gordon explained that Faeldon sent a letter seeking permission to hear mass and have a check up with his cardiologist supposedly in preparation for his attendance in the Black Nazarene’s Traslacion.

He said Faeldon had also sought permission to travel to the DND Headquarters in Quezon City "without being accompanied" by the members of the Office of the Sergeant at Arms (OSAA).

"That request was not granted because: one, his release without the company of the OSAA would have meant that he was being released from custody, without his having cleansed himself of his contumacious conduct, the very reason why he is detained,"  he added.

Gordon also said Faeldon's attendance in the Traslacion "would have exposed him to danger" and that the OSAA "would not be able to guarantee his safety what with the hundreds of thousands, maybe even a million, of people attending the Black Nazarene event."

The Senator suggested that Faeldon attend masses held at the Senate building.

The Committee received a second letter from Faeldon's lawyers seeking permission for Faeldon to go to the DND Headquarters and take his oath before Secretary Lorenzana.

On this request, Gordon said Faeldon can take his oath within the premises of the Senate where his safety could be assured.

"Consistent with the previous denial of his request, we informed him that the safety concerns still remained, what with the previous threats that were made against him," he said.

Gordon also emphasized that Faeldon has been appointed to a higher position in the Executive branch.

"If he is allowed to go out and take his oath, nothing can prevent him from hiding behind his appointment and then saying, you cannot detain me anymore as I am now Assistant Secretary," Gordon wrote.

"Prudence, in this situation, dictates that such possible constitutional crisis between the Legislative and Executive be prevented before it becomes probable," he added.

Gordon dismissed Faeldon's claim that he would be stripped of his visitation rights and that his water and electricity supply in his detention room would be cut off should he release a statement on his supposed situation.

"I have always tried to be fair with him...All he has to do is appear before the committee and respect the committee," Gordon said. — Margaret Claire Layug/NB/BAP, GMA News