Duterte won’t fire BuCor officials who acted in ‘good faith’

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte said he will not fire the officials of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) who have acted “in good faith” in implementing the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law.

He said only corrupt officials will be fired.

“Even if it was regular or allowed, corruption was there. Setting aside all the legal infirmities there, even if it was allowed, corruption was present. Sabihin ko na lang sa inyo and everybody will have to go. Alam nila ’yan,” the President said on Thursday night during the inauguration of a government center and business hub in Bataan.

He added: “If it is done in good faith, ’di kita anuhin. Pero kung sabihin mo na bayaran, that is another story. I will hit you, not because the law was in limbo, but because of corruption.”

BuCor data showed that 1,914 prisoners convicted of heinous crimes had been released for good conduct.

The rules on parole are now under review after irregularities came up during a Senate investigation.

President Duterte fired Nicanor E. Faeldon as BuCor head after he allowed the early release of the ineligible prisoners.

Ombudsman Samuel R. Martires suspended 30 officials in connection with the illegal release of ineligible prisoners. — Arjay L. Balinbin