DOJ to ‘monitor very closely’ BuCor

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday said the Department of Justice (DOJ) would “monitor very closely” the rank and file of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) for any corrupt practices, and the management for any abuse of authority.

Guevarra made these remarks in an interview with reporters, following a grievance letter issued by anonymous bureau employees against BuCor director general Gerald Bantag.

The justice chief said Bantag’s statement that “95 percent” of BuCor personnel were corrupt “may have offended the sensibilities of those employees who are honestly performing their jobs in the bureau.”

Guevarra pointed out that, even if the BuCor is under the DOJ, the DOJ no longer has direct control over the BuCor.

But the DOJ will “take such action as may be appropriate,” he said.

In 2013, the DOJ’s oversight function was reduced to mere “administrative supervision” although the DOJ retained its power to review and modify “quasijudicial” decisions of the BuCor.

In an open letter to President Rodrigo Duterte issued before Christmas, “concerned BuCor officials and employees” who did not identify themselves, asked the President to fire Bantag for abusing his authority and committing “forms of graft and corrupt practices in the highest order.”