The Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged administrative cases and imposed another 90-day preventive suspension without pay against suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gerald Bantag.
Under Department Order No. 010 dated Jan. 17 and signed by DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin 'Boying' Remulla, it said that Bantag is preventively suspended while there is a pending investigation for his charges of grave misconduct and neglect in the performance of duty.
According to the DOJ, the suspended BuCor chief failed to observe the guidelines and procedures stipulated in BuCor's Operating Manual, particularly the process of the approval of interviews with persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).
On March 30, 2022, Bantag granted the request of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) to interview retired military convicted general Jovito Palparan.
Palparan is serving inside Overseer's Office at the Minimum Security Compound in the New Bilibid Prison after being convicted for kidnapping two university students back in 2006.
The justice department directed Bantag to submit his answer to the administrative charges filed against him within 10 days of receipt.
"Failure on the respondent's part to submit his answer within the prescribed period shall be construed as a waiver thereof, and this Department shall immediately conduct the formal investigation upon notice of the scheduled date of hearing," it said.
