Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — An official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care (CBCP-ECPPC) lauded on Wednesday the passage of the Community Service Act that imposes community service instead of jail terms for minor offenses.
Rodolfo Diamante, ECPPC Executive Secretary, was referring to the Community Service Act that was passed on third and final reading before the Senate on Tuesday.
“We laud this act of the Senate and we pray that the Lower House and the President will follow this move,” Diamante said in a statement.
According to Diamante, the Church prison ministry have been advocating for such measure as part of its campaign on restorative justice.
Under the Senate Bill 2195, the court may require a defendant to render community service for as long as the offense is punishable by arresto menor (imprisonment of up to 30 days) and arresto mayor (imprisonment of up to six months).
Once the community service has been completed, the court can order the release of the offender unless there is a need for detention for some other crime. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)
READ: Senate OKs Community Service Act