After being detained for months, former Customs commissioner Nicanor Faeldon will soon walk out of the Senate a free man.
Blue Ribbon Committee chair Sen. Richard Gordon ordered the release of Faeldon, who was detained by the Senate in September for refusing to participate in the probe on the smuggling of P6.5 billion shabu.
Before he was ordered set free, Faeldon promised to stop 鈥渢alking back鈥� to senators when he is asked questions.
鈥淲e聽will call you on cognizance that when we ask you a question聽there will be no more back-talking and you will answer the questions directly,鈥� the senator said during the panel鈥檚 hearing on Monday.
鈥淵es your honor,鈥� Faeldon said.
鈥淒o you commit to that?鈥� Gordon asked to which Faeldon again answered 鈥淵es.鈥�
鈥淎lright, so the committee chair hereby orders your release from incarceration,鈥� Gordon said but was interrupted when some people from the hearing room applauded.
鈥淭here is no applause here. There is only respect for the Senate, that doesn鈥檛 include people trying to applaud the release of somebody whose actions might not have been in accordance with the proper respect due the Senate.鈥�
鈥淵ou did not disrespect me. You disrespect the Senate and I鈥檓 duty-bound to protect the Senate,鈥� he added.
Faledon was detained at the Senate in September and was transferred to the Pasay City jail last January 29. /cbb