A Senate committee has summoned the head of the country’s prison system to its investigation of its parole rules.

Senator Richard J. Gordon, who heads the justice committee, issued the subpoena after Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Nicanor E. Faeldon failed to appear at its probe upon invitation.

“You are hereby commanded and required to appear before the committee on justice and human rights of the Senate, then and there to testify under oath,” according to a copy of the subpoena approved by Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III.

The committee on Monday is set to probe the planned release of former Calauan Mayor Antonio Sanchez for good conduct. Authorities later said the ex-politician was ineligible for parole after a public uproar.

The panel together with the committees on blue ribbon, constitutional amendments, public order and finance will also tackle proposed changes to the parole law.

Mr. Sanchez was sentenced to seven life terms in 1995 for the rape and murder of two University of the Philippines students in 1993.

BuCor has reportedly released about 1,900 inmates convicted of heinous crimes since 2014.

Senator Franklin M. Drilon yesterday said the release of the inmates must be approved by the Justice secretary, amid reports that a technical superintendent had signed the release forms.

He also supported calls for President Rodrigo R. Duterte to fire Mr. Faeldon, who could be cited in contempt and detained at the Senate if he fails to appear at today’s hearing. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

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