Sen. Bong Go described BuCor Director General Gerald Bantag as honest and competent. #BuCorCorruption #GeraldBantag

New BuCor Director General Gerald Bantag. (JSX)

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go has expressed confidence that new Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag can get rid of corruption in the country’s correctional facilities.

“Naniniwala ako kay Bantag. He is honest and competent. Kayang kaya niyang linisin ang BuCor,” Go told reporters covering his visit to victims of a fire in the Kalibo Public Market in Aklan on Thursday, 19 September.

Go, who distributed food, grocery packs, school uniforms, school supplies and cash assistance to the fire victims, said the testimony of BuCor medical officer Dr. Urcisio Cenas confirmed the corruption in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) Hospital in a Blue Ribbon Committee public hearing earlier.

“Kakagaling ko lang sa Blue Ribbon hearing at inamin ng doktor na may bayaran. Tinanong ko, ‘yes or no’. Sabi niya, ‘yes’. Ibig sabihin, meron talaga. Ginagamit ang ospital para ma-admit ng limang buwan. Ginagamit ng drug lords,” Go said.

The Senate hearings on the corruption at the bureau will continue and a report will be furnished by the committee to make sure that policy reforms are instituted immediately, according to the senator.

“Tuluy-tuloy ang hearing at magkakaroon ng committee report. Lilinisin ang BuCor dahil nandoon pa rin ang tatlong masamang elemento: korapsyon, kriminalidad at illegal na droga,” said Go.

Meanwhile, Go said the bills on the Magna Carta for Barangays Act of 2019 and the postponement of the 2020 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections are in the Senate Committee on Local Government and plenary levels, respectively.

“Tuluy-tuloy na po ‘yun (postponement). Pinag-uusapan na lang ang petsa. Definitely, it will be after the presidential elections para bigyan ng pagkakataon ang bagong presidente kung anong direksyon niya sa kanyang pamamahala,” he added.