(Eagle News)–Senator Manny Pacquiao said all other Bureau of Corrections officers who had a hand in the release of convicts under the Good Conduct Time Allowance law should resign or take a leave of absence.
Pacquiao issued the call after President Rodrigo Duterte himself sacked BuCor Chief Nicanor Faeldon, following the release of some convicts of heinous crimes, including three convicted for the rape-slay of the Chiong sisters, and the near-release of former Calauan, Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez, who was convicted of the killing and rape of Eileen Sarmenta and the killing of Allan Gomez in the 1990s.
“This whole mess was not just about Undersecretary Faeldon. There are other BuCor officials who are directly and indirectly responsible for allowing the release of hardcore criminals (who) are not supposed to be covered by the GCTA Law. Dapat mag resign o kaya ay mag leave muna sila habang iniimbestigahan namin ito,” Pacquiao said.
Only recently, a witness accused BuCor documents officer Staff Sergeant Ramoncito Roque and Major Mabel Bansil of asking and receiving P50,000 from her for the release of her partner from the New Bilibid Prison.
Roque has said he received the money being “forced” on him by Bansil and by the witness, but later returned it.
According to Pacquiao, if the concerned BuCor officials do not do this, he would recommend to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra that they be temporarily suspended.
Pacquiao also hailed President Duterte’s sacking of Faeldon, which he said showed there were “no sacred cows” in this administration.
He noted that the President “even” ordered the Office of the Ombudsman to conduct a deeper probe into the allegations of corruption.
“This is the best testament that the president is equally enraged and disappointed with the actions of Faeldon and he is prepared to get into the bottom of this,” Pacquiao said.
