ni Lolet Abania | October 21, 2022
Sinuspinde na si Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Director General Gerald Bantag matapos na masawi ang isang inmate na itinuturing bilang “middleman” sa pagpatay sa broadcaster na si Percy Lapid.
Sa press briefing ngayong Biyernes, sinabi ni Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla na ang order para suspendihin si Bantag ay nagmula kay Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. sa ginanap na meeting nila nitong Huwebes.
“I went to the President to tell him about this… he asked me to preventively suspend Undersecretary, Director General Bantag of BuCor, so that there may be a fair [and] impartial investigation on the matter,” saad ni Remulla.
Sinabi ni Remulla na in-appoint niya si dating Armed Forces chief of staff Gregorio Catapang Jr. bilang officer-in-charge ng BuCor.
Ayon sa DOJ chief, ang suspension ni Bantag ay “indefinite” at magpapatuloy ito hanggang ongoing pa ang imbestigasyon.
“We cannot have a definite preventive suspension. It’s indefinite, as long as the investigation is there, as long as there are findings. Then let’s put the matter to rest,” paliwanag ni Remulla.
Sa isang department order ay nakasaad, “Bantag is placed under preventive suspension without pay for 90 days, effective immediately.”
Batay sa 2017 rules on Administrative Cases sa Civil Service, ayon kay DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano sa isang mensahe sa mga reporters, “The rules require a period to be stated. That is why we needed to put the 90-day period. But it will be renewed depending on the length and duration of the investigation.”
Samantala, personal na ipinaalam ni Remulla kay Bantag ang kanyang suspensyon umaga ng Biyernes habang aniya, “[the official] took it well.”
Nang tanungin siya kung sino ang pumili kay Catapang bilang OIC, sinabi ni Remulla, “Si Presidente.”
“Kausap ko kagabi [si Presidente]. We agreed that he may be the best person to step in as OIC. Given his maturity, his ability to discern, his experience, he may be a good fit as OIC,” dagdag niya.
Binanggit naman ni Remulla na kailangan pa nilang mag-meet ni Catapang upang ibigay ang kanyang designation.
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