Senate panel hearing GCTA mess goes into executive session

The Senate blue ribbon and justice committees hearing the controversies surrounding the implementation of the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law and anomalies in the New Bilibid Prison went on an executive session Thursday afternoon.

Senator Richard Gordon, blue ribbon committee chairman, said they will be talking first with former Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief and incumbent Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.

After that, they will talk with Corrections Senior Inspector Ma. Benilda Bansil and Corrections Officer 3 Veronica Buño who have been accused of transacting with the partner of an inmate who wanted his prison term to be shortened.

“We will suspend the regular hearing but we will continue sa executive session for the following people: General Magalong first and then afterwards we may call other  witnesses, the two ladies. The moment we finish that, we will continue with the proceedings. We are not yet finished,” said Gordon.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said a Bureau of Corrections official submitted to him a very revealing letter and he will give it to Gordon during the executive session.

“I will be submitting to you a letter from an official of the BuCor that is very revealing. I will have to submit it during the executive session,” he said.

During the hearing, Magalong asked for an executive session where he will name those involved in the ‘agaw-bato’ or drug recycling scheme.

All the matters discussed during the executive session are considered confidential and should not be made public. —RSJ, GMA News