Faeldon, Faustino ready for lifestyle check amid GCTA for sale accusation

Bureau of Corrections director general Nicanor Faeldon and regional superintendent Melencio Faustino expressed readiness Monday to undergo a lifestyle check amid accusations that there were GCTA (good conduct time allowance) for sale for the early release of moneyed convicts.

Senator Imee Marcos issued the challenge during the Senate hearing on the implementation of GCTA law and the impending release of former Calauan mayor Antonio Sanchez who was convicted for the rape-slay of Eileen Sarmenta and killing of Allan Gomez and release of convicted drug lords

“Ang pinakamahirap po dito yung GCTA for sale…ang inaalala ng lahat ng tao ay for sale daw ang GCTA, ang SPAL ay nabibili, nakahanda po ba kayo na pumipirma, si Chief Supt. Faustino at iba pa, Usec Faeldon, handa po ba kayo na mag-lifestyle check para sa napakahigh profile drug cases na pinalabas n’yo,” she said.

Faeldon and Faustino answered, “Yes, your honor.”

Good conduct time allowance' reduces the actual time a PDL (person deprived of liberty) serves his/her sentence for complying with jail/prison rules and regulations as stated in Uniform Manual on Time Allowances and Service of Sentence

Senator Ronald dela Rosa, also a former BuCor director general, asked Faeldon and Faustino if GCTA is indeed being sold which the two replied in the negative.

Faeldon said granting the time allowances is automatic so there is no need for the convicts to ask for it.

“Automatic ang pag-grant ng GCTA, hindi naman siya kailangang hingiin, based on the number of years, ilang buwan ka naging  behave. I still have to investigate this but kahit hindi nila hingiin ay iga-grant sa kanila,” he said.

“Hindi ko makita kung bakit kailangan nilang magbayad para sa GCTA. But we are investigating,” he added.

Faustino said he agreed with Faeldon.

“Sumasang-ayon ako sa sagot ni director general na wala namang dahilan para bilhin ang GCTA,” he said.

Dela Rosa said during his six-month stint at BuCor, many families of convicts sought his help for the good conduct time allowance of their loved ones.

He said based on his experience, many of those who accused BuCor personnel of selling GCTA are frustrated loved ones.

"I've been investigating but wala akong nakitang nagbebenta. 'Yun ang ginagawang scapegoat ng mga tao dahil hindi sila nagkaqualify. Itong mga  enterprising na paralegal ang gumagawa ng sariling computation which is not in accordance with  computation provided with the law. Napu-frustrate sila kaya ina-accuse ang Bucor," he said.

Earlier during the hearing, Senator Risa Hontiveros asked why Sanchez and the drug lords were among those who benefitted from GCTA when there are more qualified ones waiting to be released.

Faeldon said he will look into it. 

Senator Panfilo Lacson earlier said at least eight Chinese and Taiwanese drug lords have been released after availing GCTA. —LDF, GMA News