MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has approved the release of 97 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) who have served at least four decades behind bars, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said Wednesday.
The release of these inmates, who were granted good conduct time allowance (GCTA), were approved by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla upon the recommendation of BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., the bureau said in a news release.
Out of this figure, 47 are from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City, 23 from Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, 12 from Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm, six from Davao Prison and Penal Farm, five from San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm, and four from Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City.
The PDLs were sentenced to at least one count of either reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment, and whose time served with time allowances have exceeded their minimum sentence, computed based on the old provisions of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) on time allowances.
As part of efforts to decongest prison facilities and to hasten the release of those qualified PDLs, the DOJ and the BuCor have adopted Department Order 652 that revises the rules and procedure in the release of PDLs with expired sentences as follows:
--The release of all PDLs incarcerated in national penitentiaries with expired sentences shall be approved by the Director General of the BuCor or his duly authorized representative, in accordance with the mandate of the bureau to exercise authority/jurisdiction over matters pertaining to the operations of the prisons;
--The release of PDLs sentenced to life imprisonment or reclusion perpetua or those classified as high-risk/high-profile shall be implemented only upon prior approval of the Secretary of Justice.
--The Director General of the BuCor will submit the necessary documents for the evaluation and approval of the Secretary of Justice not later than three months prior to the expected date of release of the PDLs concerned.
--In cases where the release of PDLs shall require only the approval of the Director General of the BuCor, the list of PDLs due for release shall be submitted to the Secretary of Justice at least one month prior to their expected date of release.
--In all cases, and in order to ensure that the computations made by the BuCor is accurate, particularly with respect to credit for preventive imprisonment, time allowances and other circumstances affecting the period of sentence of a PDL, the Director General of the BuCor shall issue a certification as to the correctness and accuracy of the computation of the credits granted and expiration of sentence of the prisoners affected.
Meanwhile, the bureau said three of its lawyers were promoted from corrections officers to the rank of Senior Inspector.
Catapang on Tuesday led the oath-taking and donning of ranks rites for Nancy Pun-ad, Cynthrose Casanova and Francis Jade Pajuna inside his office at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City. (PNA)
