(Eagle News) – The Senate has unanimously decided to transfer former Customs commissioner Nicanor Faeldon to the Pasay City Jail.
Faeldon would also remain in contempt for being “arrogant” in his answers and for acting inappropriately at the continuation of the senate blue ribbon committee hearing early this afternoon, where he had a heated exchange with committee chair, Senator Richard Gordon. The senate continued on Monday, January 29, its hearing on the alleged corruption, specifically the “tara system” at the Bureau of Customs and the P6.4 billion shabu shipment that had passed through Customs while Faeldon was its head. ,
Gordon said the senate was unanimous in its decision that Faeldon should still be held for contempt.
Before the session, the senators had an all-member caucus to tackle the issue of Faeldon questioning his continued detention inside the senate premises.
Faeldon had asked the Supreme Court to stop what he said was the Senate’s illegal detention of him over his refusal to attend hearings on corruption in the Bureau of Customs, and on the P6.4-billion shabu shipment mess.
In a 30-page petition, Faeldon asked the High Court to issue a temporary restraining order or a status quo ante order pending resolution of his petition.
Faeldon noted that the Senate’s detention was tantamount to a violation of due process.
Gordon laid down the issue to the other senators, noting Faeldon’s disrespectful attitude during the senate hearing and his arrogant answers.
-Gordon calls out Faeldon for being ‘out of line’-
The senator said Faeldon was acting “out of line” after the former Customs commissioner accused Gordon of “exaggerating” on his allegation that he was allowed to hold a party last December inside the senate premises.
Gordon said he had granted almost all of Faeldon’s request during his detention, including allowing the former Customs chief to have a “family gathering.”
“You’re exaggerating your honor!” Faeldon told Gordon.
“Don’t tell me I’m exaggerating!” Gordon replied as he took a swipe at his “turning his back” on the government.
When Faeldon continued to argue with him, and complain loudly, without waiting to be acknowledged, Gordon said: “You’re out of line! You wait for a question to be asked, then you may answer.”
-“Do not cry,” Gordon tells Faeldon during hearing-
“But you’re already monologuing (sic) and lecturing. This is the reason why I do not want to attend here because you are not interested about the truth,” said an almost hysterical Faeldon who was almost close to tears.
“Do not cry! You are about to cry,” Gordon told Faeldon.
“No, I’m not crying,” shouted Faeldon.
“Yes, you are about to cry. You cried the last time you were here,” Gordon replied.
When Faeldon again interrupted, trying to argue and complain, Gordon cut him off and said, “You will be restrained for speaking without being recognized,”
Gordon said Faeldon’s transfer would happen “within the day” and said the senate was just waiting for the final order from Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.
(with a report from Meanne Corvera, Eagle News Service)