(Eagle News) — The Senate blue ribbon committee cited former Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon in contempt after he failed to show up in Thursday’s hearing into corruption in the Bureau of Customs.
“Make sure that he shares information and that he is brought here on Monday,” committee chair Senator Richard Gordon said.
Earlier, Gordon urged the committee to take action on Faeldon, noting some of his “contentious remarks” in justifying his absence in the hearing.
In a letter to the committee, Faeldon had said he decided not to attend because he wanted to “protect (his) rights.”
He noted that his move to absent himself could not be considered “defiance,” as he did appear before the committee twice.
He said he was, however, unable to present his side on those occasions.
“I am willing to answer before a competent court,” he had said.
In an explosive privilege speech on Aug. 23, Senator Panfilo Lacson accused the former Customs commissioner of receiving a P100-million “pasalubong” as soon as he took the helm of the bureau.
Faeldon denied the allegations, and instead accused Lacson’s son of being engaged in smuggling.
Prior to this, the former Navy man had already come under fire for alleged incompetence after he refused to conduct a control-inventory of the P6.4-billion drug shipment that entered the country in May via Customs express lanes.
Lawmakers holding an inquiry into the matter said Faeldon also bungled what could have been a strong case against the individuals believed involved in the shipment.
On Aug. 21, President Rodrigo Duterte announced that Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency director general Isidro Lapena would replace Faeldon, who had submitted resignation letters more than once amid the brouhaha.
