Senate releases Faeldon, but only for 48 hours

Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Deputy Administrator Nicanor Faeldon has been released from detention at the Senate late Friday evening after Senator Richard Gordon granted his request to visit his girlfriend who was giving birth to their baby.

Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Jose Balajadia said Faeldon was freed at 10 p.m. Friday, but his temporary furlough, according to other reports, only lasts 48 hours.

Lawyer Jose Diño, Faeldon’s legal counsel, said the

former Bureau of Customs (BOC) chief was escorted by Senate security as he visited his life partner in a hospital in Taytay, Rizal where she gave birth to a son at 11:56 p.m.

It will be recalled that Faeldon is being held in detention at the Senate after being cited for contempt over his refusal to face the continuing probe into the entry of 16.4-billion worth of “shabu” from China through the Customs under his watch in May last year.

Balajadia told the Manila Bulletin that the Senate will allow Faeldon some time “enough to enjoy his newborn.”

Other reports, meanwhile, said he was given a 48-hour furlough from detention and was expected to go back to the Senate by Sunday night.

In a statement issued Friday, Faeldon thanked Gordon for his approval, despite previously hitting the latter for turning down his previous requests.

Among these was Faeldon’s request to meet his cardiologist and appear at his oath-taking as OCD deputy administrator.

For his part, Gordon stressed that Faeldon remains under the custody of his Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.

“No, I did not release him. But he pleaded to be given a furlough to be with his girlfriend,” Gordon told a radio interview yesterday.

“Nagpaawa siya (Faeldon asked to be pitied),” he added.

Gordon said his committee never violated Faeldon’s constitutional rights.

Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson, a bitter political foe of Faeldon, said he was not consulted on the action taken by Gordon.

“I don’t know if he did with the other members of the committee,” said Lacson. “Nevertheless, had I been consulted, I would not have objected for reason of compassion and mercy.”