Faeldon surrenders but keeps off Senate inquiry
ABOUT THREE hours into the Senate blue ribbon committee’s eighth public hearing on illegal drugs, resigned Customs chief Nicanor E. Faeldon surrendered to the Senate Office of the SergeantAt-Arms (OSAA) on Monday, Sept. 11.
Mr. Faeldon, who has been cited in contempt for being a no-show at the Senate inquiry since last week, went directly to the OSAA and did not, as he had previously stated, participate in the committee’s investigation. The committee has been looking into the P6.4-billion shabu shipment from China last May and the related corruption at the Bureau of Customs as tackled by Senator Panfilo M. Lacson’s recent privileged speech linking as well Mr. Faeldon.
Upon being informed of Mr. Faeldon’s arrival, Richard J. Gordon, committee chairman, called for a recess so he could talk to the former Customs chief.
“Sabi niya respetado naman niya ang Senado at handa siya na mag- stay dito at makulong at hahabulin daw niya sa korte. Pero ang pakiramdam niya habang nandito hindi siya mananagot dito dahil ang mga senador ay may mga karapatan tulad ng privilege speech,” Mr. Gordon said.
(Mr. Faeldon said he respects the Senate and that he is ready to stay here. He will just pursue his case in court. He just felt however that while he is here, he wouldn’t be able to defend himself because of the senators’ privileged speeches.)
Mr. Gordon added that if Mr. Faeldon felt maligned by a senator’s privileged speech, he has the right to file an ethics case. The senator also noted that Mr. Faeldon will be detained until he decides to cooperate. —