Drilon wants 'full disclosure' of Sebastian's death

Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon on Tuesday described the lack of detailed information about Jaybee Sebastian’s death as both scary and suspicious, urging transparency from the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

“Natatakot ako rito. Hindi mo alam kung ano ang nangyayari. (I am alarmed about this. We do not know what really happened),” Drilon said in an interview over GMANews Tv.

“Given the history of BuCor, talagang nakakatakot ito. Paano mo malalaman kung itong si Sebastian ? Baka nandiyan lang naglalakad sa tapat ng GMA (This is really scary. How would you know if Sebastian is alive or dead? He might just be walking in front of GMA network),” he stressed.

Earlier, BuCor chief Gerald Bantag refused to disclose any information about Sebastian’s death, even with reports already saying it was due to COVID-19, maintaining the matter is covered by the Data Privacy Act.

But Drilon insists the Data Privacy Act doesn't apply in Sebastian's case.

“Itong death, hindi kasama iyan sa sinasabing sensitive personal information na hindi pwedeng i-release (His death is not included in what they call sensitive personal information that could not be released). In fact, kailangan mo nga ng (you really need a) death certificate, a public document ,” he pointed out.

“Kaya nagiging suspicious kasi hindi natin alam kung ano ang nangyari (That's why it is suspicious because we really don't know what happened). Siguro kailangan ang (There should be) full disclosure,” Drilon stressed.

Drilon also said that as a person deprived of liberty (PDL), Sebastian’s right to privacy is already suspended.

“Remember na nang siya ay namatay, limited yung right to privacy niya kasi nakakulong na siya. (Remember when he died, his right to privacy was limited because he was already in jail),” he explained.

“Habang nakabilanggo, ang prinsipyo (As a prisoner, in principle) some of your civil and political rights are deemed suspended,” he added.

Given the anomalies in the BuCor unearthed in the Senate hearings, Drilon said: "we cannot help but suspect that faking deaths of prisoners can happen."

"The burden is on BuCor to present proof of regularity in the performance of its functions," the minority leader said.

Sebastian is among key witnesses in the illegal drug case against Sen. Leila de Lima.