On release of Chiong case convicts: Senate probe set

CEBU, Philippines — The Senate will launch today a “serious investigation” on the reported release of three convicts in the infamous rape and murder case of Chiong sisters in Cebu 22 years ago, Senator Imee Marcos said.

Marcos told reporters that the release was unacceptable as convicts of heinous crimes are not included in the good conduct time allowance law.

“Bakit naman sila sinama? Somebody should be held accountable and should be punished. This is not the intent of the law and huwag naman sanang gamitin na rason na makalusot ang gumawa ng karumaldumal na krimen. Hindi naman pwede yan, bakit naman ganoon?” said the senator.

Marcos said she was “shocked” at the number of signatures that allowed for the release of the convicted criminals.

“I was shocked when I found out. Something should be done. Parang nalusutan naman tayong lahat. May ibat-ibang pumirma. Dapat maimbistigahan ang mga ito,” she said.

Marcos said the Senate blue ribbon committee, of which she is a member, will open a formal probe into the matter today.

The Chiong sisters, Marijoy and Jacqueline, were reported to have been abducted, raped and murdered in Cebu in 1997. Marijoy’s body was found thrown off a ravine in Carcar City while Jacqueline’s remains have yet to be found to this day.

Senator Panfilo Lacson revealed on Friday that three out of the seven convicts, Rowen Adlawan, Alberto Caño and Ariel Balansag, had been released but government authorities have denied this.

“Na-release na rin yan pero ang nakapirma roon iba. Hindi mismong si [BuCor chief] Nicanor Faeldon ang nakapirma. Ang balita ko a certain Marquez ang nagpirma roon. Pero ang may authority magpirma ng release order ay ang director ng BuCor,” Lacson said in an interview with DZBB radio.

Lacson claimed that the three were released due to good conduct time allowance (GCTA) under Republic Act No. 10592.

Following the incident, Senator Risa Hontiveros said that Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director Nicanor Faeldon “does not deserve the trust of the Filipino people.”

“I call on President Rodrigo Duterte to respond decisively to this travesty of justice and immediately fire Faeldon. Section 6 of RA 10592 penalizes officials who violate the law with perpetual disqualification from holding public office and imprisonment. Faeldon should be removed from public office and charged with the appropriate administrative and criminal cases,” said Hontiveros in a statement.

She also called to overhaul the BuCor, including its personnel and internal procedures.

She added that President Duterte should stop his practice of “recycling questionable appointees from one department to another and that the courtroom, where he (Faeldon) should stand accused of obstructing justice and betraying the public interest, should be the last stop for the overly recycled and department-hopping Faeldon.”

Marcos, who was in Cebu for the launch of “Imee Kabuhayan,” echoed the Hontiveros sentiments, but she said sacking Faeldon will be up to the President.

Imee Kabuhayan is a nationwide livelihood program that seeks to promote women empowerment in the basic sectors of society.

The program aims to encourage women, young and old alike, in the rural and urban poor areas of the country, to rise above their current conditions by means of developing a sense of self-reliance coupled with conditions by means of developing a sense of self-reliance coupled with ambition while working with a community.

At the same time, the program aims to foster cooperation, unity and accountability within the community in order to achieve a common goal.

“Mas nauna pa ang Cebu kaysa sa Ilocos,” said Marcos, former governor of Ilocos Norte.

The Imee Kabuhayan-Cebu is led by Linda Chang, together with Gladys Andre Duenas Uy, Josephine Luym, Marylou Ang, Sonia Yuvallos, Christina Chan Lo, Jaime Chua, Zandro Sy Guillo, Annie Ebasitas, Imma King and Bernice Ocampo.

Marcos said that the group in Cebu is selling bougainvillea flowers in bulk, grown by women in the mountain barangays of Cebu City.

Meanwhile, Marcos also lamented at the absence of an official listing of the country’s national heroes.

“Hindi sila magkasundo kung sino yung mga heroes. Parang siyam lang ang nasa list at nasa Luzon lang. Siguro yung mga Visayan legislators sa tingin nila walang Bisaya,” said Marcos.

Marcos said she will file a bill that will declare the national heroes, adding she wants Lapulapu, the first Filipino who fought against a foreign invader, to be in the list.

“Officially, wala talaga tayong national heroes. Dapat si Lapulapu ang nauuna sa listahan. Eh ang nangyari ginawang isda si Lapulapu at naging escabeche,” Marcos said. (FREEMAN)