Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon (MNS Photo)
MANILA, Sept 7 (Mabuhay) — Former Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon snubbed the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on the P6.4-billion shabu shipment Thursday morning, saying he no longer has faith in the supposed “impartiality” of some senators.
In a letter sent to the committee chaired by Senator Richard Gordon, Faeldon explained that his absence is “not to defy the Senate as an institution” but rather, “a way of protesting.”
“I continue to have the highest respect for the Senate as an institution but I no longer have faith in the impartiality in some of its members who have lied to malign me and other innocent resource persons,” Faeldon said.
In his previous appearance, Faeldon risked being cited in contempt after he refused to answer questions of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who had said that he was at the heart of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) controversy.
“This is not to defy as an institution. This is a way of protesting. I want my team and I to be last victims of baseless accusations, persecution, and condemnation,” Faledon said.
It was Faeldon’s second time to skip the hearing since the committee issued a subpoena against him.
Gordon said the committee will hold an executive session to discuss whether Faeldon should be cited in contempt.
“The remarks are contemptuous. He has been properly invited and subpoenaed. Although he has grievances, I’d like the Senate to address this particular matter,” he said. (MNS)