Bantag gets another 90-day suspension

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has imposed another 90-day preventive suspension on Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gerald Bantag for allowing a television news channel to interview convicted kidnapper Jovito Palparan last year.

In an order signed by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Jan. 17 but made public only yesterday, the DOJ said the suspension is part of the agency’s filing of charges of grave misconduct and neglect in the performance of duties against Bantag, for his failure to observe procedures regarding the interview of inmates.

According to the DOJ, Bantag approved the request of SMNI News Channel to interview Palparan at the maximum security compound of the New Bilibid Prison on Nov. 15, 2021.

The DOJ said the interview did not comply with the BuCor’s Operating Manual and Department Circular No. 015.

Bantag was ordered to file his answer within 10 days.