Lacson says this is “unless his contempt citation is lifted by the Senate acting as a collegial body”
(Eagle News) — Former Customs chief Nicanor Faeldon “may” have to work via “remote control” from the Senate detention facility when he assumes the post of deputy administrator at the Office of the Civil Defense.
According to Senator Panfilo Lacson, this is “unless his contempt citation” that led to him being detained in the first place is “lifted by the Senate as a collegial body.”
“..The Senate cannot also be dictated upon to release Faeldon from custody,” Lacson told reporters in a text message.
He said at the same time, the Senate “cannot dictate on the president who to appoint or not.”
“Faeldon has not been convicted of any crime yet and certainly he is not barred from assuming an appointive or even an elective position,” Lacson said.
In a letter dated December 22, Duterte designated Faeldon as deputy administrator III of the office under the Department of National Defense.
This was despite the fact Faeldon remains detained in the Senate for his refusal to attend subsequent hearings on corruption in the Bureau of Customs, which he headed until he resigned, and on the P6.4-billion shabu shipment that entered the country in May via Customs express lanes.