Press Release
September 5, 2019

President Duterte's action shows Faeldon is no 'sacred cow'

Senator Manny Pacquiao said Thursday that President Duterte's decision to sack Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Nicanor Faeldon and order a full recall of all prisoners who were granted liberty on the basis of the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) Law is a clear and undeniable proof that there are no sacred cows in his government.

And now that no less than Duterte has declared that Faeldon was wrong to allow the early release of heinous crime convicts, Pacquiao said that all other BuCor officials who had something to do in the facilitation and documentation of the release orders should either resign or take a leave-of-absence until after the Senate completes its investigation.

"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 hardcored criminals which 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.

Before President Duterte's announcement of Faeldon's termination as BuCor chief, Pacquiao had asked Faeldon to take a leave to spare the president from being dragged into the GCTA fiasco.

According to Pacquiao, the President's strong pronouncements in relation of Faeldon's alleged abuse in granting early release for hardcore convicts should be enough to refute claims that the president is protecting Faeldon despite his alleged improprieties.

Pacquiao noted that the President has even ordered the Office of the Ombudsman to conduct a deeper probe into allegations of corruption in the selection of convicts who were released under the terms of the GTCA Law.

"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. This shows that Faeldon is no sacred cow," the boxing legend-turned-senator said.

Pacquiao said that with the sacking of Faeldon, it would be best for the other key officials of the BuCor to take a leave-of-absence. If not, he would recommend to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra to temporarily suspend these officials pending the full completion of all ongoing investigations related to the GTCA controversy.

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