Faeldon warned: Don’t defy Senate

Resigned Customs commissioner Nicanor Faeldon is expected to surrender today at the Senate even as Sen. Richard Gordon has renewed his assurance that the former military officer would be allowed to defend himself at the resumption of the Blue Ribbon committee hearing into alleged corruption and smuggling in the bureau. Gordon, chairman of the

committee, however warned that he would not hesitate to detain Faeldon if the latter refuses to cooperate at the continuation of the panel’s inquiry into the smuggling of some P6.4 billion worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride from China as well as into allegations of corruption at the BOC as alleged by Sen. Panfilo Lacson. Faeldon last week said he would surrender to the Senate today but would not testify in the inquiry as he did not trust some senators. He earlier challenged his accusers to file cases in court and signed a waiver to his bank accounts.

“I don’t think (Faeldon) will defy the committee. I will talk to him. I think I can convince him to speak. We’ll give him the leeway to speak,” Gordon told dzBB.

“He thinks he is being persecuted so he can testify but he must make sure he also has some proof and a lawyer if he makes his own allegations,” Gordon said.

He, however, said there is also established jurisprudence that recognizes the authority of the Senate to detain an uncooperative witness even in a regular jail for suspected criminals.

Gordon said Faeldon cannot always invoke his right against self-incrimination as it depends on the question asked him.

Last week, the panel cited Faeldon in contempt for failing to attend the hearings twice in a row despite being sent subpoenas.

Faeldon also lamented that Lacson and Sen. Antonio Trillanes had unfairly accused him of received P75 million in bribes.

“Your honor, where is the presumption of innocence guaranteed by the Bill of Rights in the Constitution? I am not even an accused. I am only a resource person and yet the Senator (Lacson) has already labeled me as corrupt under the cloak of legislative immunity,” he said.

The former BOC chief earlier accused Lacson and his son, Panfilo Lacson Jr. of engaging in the smuggling of cement.

He said he continues to have respect for the Senate but no longer has faith in the impartiality of some senators.