THE Senate blue ribbon committee on Monday began its investigation into the release of convicts under the controversial Good Conduct Time Allowance ( GCTA) law.As of posting time, Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director Nicanor Faeldon is being grilled by Sen. Richard Gordon over the process by which the inmates, including those convicted of heinous crimes, were freed.The blue ribbon committee, which Gordon heads, subpoenaed Faeldon to attend the public hearing.Among those Faeldon ordered released was former Calauan, Laguna mayor Antonio Sanchez who was sentenced to seven life terms for the rape-slay of University of the Philippines-Los Banos (UPLB) student Eilieen Sarmenta in 1993 and the murder of her friend Allan Gomez.Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Sen. Ana Theresia 'Risa' Hontiveros asked President Rodrigo Duterte to remove Faeldon as BuCor chief for his apparent incompentence in applying the GCTA to release those convicted of heinous crimes.Contrary to some reports, the 'President did not give instruction for him (Faeldon) to attend [the public hearing],' said Sen. Christopher 'Bong' Go.'It is up to BuCor head Nicanor Faeldon whether he will attend or not. However, let me remind him that a subpoena for him to attend has already been released by Senator Gordon,' Go said.BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO
