Duterte starts probe on GCTA anomalies

President Rodrigo Duterte is probing the anomalous grant of freedom to convicts of heinous crimes under the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) Law.

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go made this disclosure yesterday at the height of the joint Senate hearing on the aborted release of convicted rapist-murderer Antonio Sanchez, former mayor of Calauan, Laguna.

The Senate Committee on Justice and the Blue Ribbon Committee have found loopholes in the GCTA and further amendments are now being sought, aside from possible liabilities by the officials of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

But Go said the Chief Executive is conducting his own investigation on the circumstances that led to the release of 1,914 inmates, including convicts serving time for committing heinous crimes.

He also said the President is looking at the possibility of corruption happening in the Philippine jail system under the leadership of BuCor chief Nicanor Faeldon.

“What President Duterte said was that he will have his own investigation. He wants to know if there is corruption involved, why prisoners involved in heinous crimes were released,” Go said.

The senator added that the president is also in favor of the Senate investigation to figure out the lapses in the law. He wants to find out who will be accountable for the current situation, even if it includes Faeldon.

“Let us wait for the investigation started by President Duterte. Even if we are friends before, if you have a problem especially if corruption is involved, President Duterte and I will fight against corruption in the government, against criminality and illegal drugs. Why did the Chinese drug lords escape?” Go said in an ambush interview.

He reiterated that the Senate inquiry should look into the vague provision of the Republic Act 10592 (GCTA Law) and this should not be granted to those who committed heinous crimes.

“It is clear to me and the ordinary Filipinos that it is not right that a high-profile convict who was sentenced with seven reclusion perpetua because of heinous crime and in possession of illegal drugs inside the jail will be suddenly released,” the neophyte senator shared.

Senate Blue Ribbon and Justice Committees chairman Richard Gordon described the grant of liberty to 1,914 convicts as coming like a “thief in the night.” It was only looked into after the public denounced the release of Sanchez.

The public was also enraged over the reported release of the convicts found guilty for the rape and murder of sisters Jacqueline and Maryjoy Chiong in Cebu.

Faeldon explained that they granted the GCTA relief regardless of the crime committed by a convict.

“What is very clear here is, the process they used was never changed and the application of GCTA was never changed since 2014 up to this day. That is why there are continuous releases through granting of GCTA to even heinous crime offenders because of their current interpretation of Section 3 of Republic Act 10592, which grants GCTA to all convicts regardless of the nature of their offense” Faeldon said.

His statement was supported by Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra who claimed that this was their interpretation of the law as applied since 2014.

“That has been the practice since 2014 on the matter of GCTA granting regardless of crimes committed. Now we have an opportunity to review the provisions of this law enacted in 2013 because of the public outcry and we thank that this incident happened because it proved to be a blessing in disguise,” Guevarra said.

The Justice chief explained that the proper interpretation of the law should exclude those who were convicted with heinous crimes.

Lacson said the release order on the murderers in the Chiong case came out four days before the botched release of Sanchez. The order bore the signature and approval of Corrections Technical Chief Supt. Maria Fe Marquez.

“What makes the difference between the release order signed for you by Maria Fe Marquez and the release order signed by you in favor of Antonio Sanchez?” the senator asked.

Faeldon admitted to signing “a memorandum to start the process of GCTA grant for the former mayor,” but he insisted that it was different from the release order.

The BuCor chief said he recalled the order after the issue was exposed by the media.

He also confirmed that he met with the Sanchez family about the possible release of the former town mayor.

SENATORS Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go listens intently to the speakers during the Senate’s joint hearing on GCTA. He is with fellow neophyte lawmaker Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa and the other guests. BOB DUNGO JR.

Asked about Sanchez’s henchmen, Faeldon disclosed that three of the six convicts have died in prison.

Meanwhile, on the release of four Chinese drug lords, Lacson was assured by Guevarra that they will hold their deportation.

He also said that there is a possibility to put them back in jail, but the Justice chief explained that he will not disclose the procedure yet as this might preempt available legal remedies.

In another ambush interview, Go said he was disappointed with the BuCor chief, adding that aside from Faeldon, other officials will also face accountability on the release of the detainees.

“Based on what I have heard a while ago, they have accountability. Not only Faeldon but those who signed the papers. All those who signed the papers will be accountable for the release of those who were charged with heinous crimes,” Go added.

On the other hand, Gordon said they are fast-tracking the investigation and the panel will try to finish the deliberations on Tuesday.

He added that it is clear that the position of the Senate and the Department of Justice is the same and they will amend the bill based on the recommendations presented by Guevarra before the panel.