QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — The Senate is willing to give former Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon ample time and opportunity to explain himself, as the plan to arrest him on Friday over his failure to appear in Senate hearings did not push through.
Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Richard Gordon said that he does not want to embarrass Faeldon by arresting him but stressed that the former Customs chief must explain why the P6.4-billion drug shipment slipped through the Bureau of Customs in May.
“I do not want him (Faeldon) embarrassed… But if he just sits and presents himself and he refuses to answer, I will do the next step, which is to put him under arrest,” Gordon said.
Faeldon failed to attend the hearing into the shipment on Thursday, September 7, but he submitted a letter explaining the reason for his absence to the panel.
He also submitted a waiver that would allow the Senate to look into his bank accounts.
“I’m attaching a waiver, RA 1405 entitled an ‘Act Prohibiting Disclosure of or Inquiry into, Deposits with Any Banking Institution and Providing Penalty Therefore.’ This waver will assist you with your investigation,” Faeldon’s letter said.
“You’re free to look in all my bank accounts, all my brothers, sisters and nieces are also willing to sign the waiver of their bank accounts. Just say the word,” he added.