DOJ to discuss if it has jurisdiction to review Faeldon’s action

August 31, 2019

The Department of Justice ( DOJ) will find out if it has jurisdiction to investigate Bureau of Corrections Director General Nicanor Faeldon to grant good conduct time allowance to felons convicted of heinous crimes, including former Calauan Mayor Antonio Sanchez and the rapist-murderers of the Chiong sisters in Cebu.

Guevarra hinted that a probe into allegations of irregularity by Faeldon, being a presidential appointee, may be within jurisdiction of the Office of the President and the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission.

“The DOJ will take up this matter on Monday,” Guevarra stressed.

“First and foremost, we need to determine jurisdiction, the reason being that DG Faeldon is a presidential appointee, and primary jurisdiction may vest with the OP/PACC,” Guevarra said in a text message.

Some sectors called for a review of all release orders by BuCor due to retroactive application of Republic Act 10592 or the expanded GCTA law, particularly those convicted of heinous crimes, including Sanchez and three of the seven men convicted for killing sisters Marijoy and Jacqueline Chiong in 1997 in Cebu.

Sanchez was convicted for the murder of sweethearts University of the Philippines-Los Banos student Eileen Sarmenta and her boyfriend Allan Gomez on June 28, 1993.

Thelma Chiong on Friday said she received reports Josman Aznar, Ariel Balansag and Alberto Caño were among 1,914 convicts of heinous crimes who were released due to computed GCTA under Republic Act No. 10592.

Also convicted for kidnapping and serious illegal detention with homicide and rape were Juan Francisco “Paco” Larrañaga, a great-grandson of former President Sergio Osmeña Sr., Rowen Adlawan and brothers James Anthony and James Andrew Uy.

Guevarra said he will wait for Faeldon’s reaction on a news report he signed the August 20, 2019 release orders of Sanchez.

Outrage over Sanchez's  impending release arising from the provision of the new GCTA law has prompted the DOJ to call for a review of the implementing rules and regulation of RA 10592. DMS