Convicted ex-congressman says Bilibid ‘kubol’ OK to maintain prisoner’s ‘dignity

MANILA, Philippines—A former congressman who once was an inmate at the New Bilibid Prison said “kubols” (small huts) should be allowed for prisoners who can afford them, as part of maintaining their “dignity.”

Romeo Jalosjos, who was convicted of statutory rape and acts of lasciviousness and released from the NBP in March 2009, admitted to having his own kubol while incarcerated at the national penitentiary.

“I had my own kubol…I could afford it and because my status was higher. When I entered Bilibid, I was a congressman,” he said on Thursday, adding that his kubol had such amenities as a desk, electric fans and refrigerator. He also had a cook, who was a fellow inmate at the maximum security compound.

“My kubol doubled as an office for the Lamb of God foundation,” Jalosjos said.

Jalosjos added thathis kubol is now being occupied by Warren Zingapan, the Lamb of God Foundation president.

Jalosjos met with Justice Secretary Leila De Lima on Thursday. He did not state what the meeting was about, although earlier De Lima said she was in the process of constituting the technical working group (TWG) that will implement the recommendations to rehabilitate the national penitentiary.

The TWG, De Lima said, will include inmates of the national penitentiary as members, besides representatives of concerned government agencies and non-government organizations. De Lima did not state if Jalosjos is being considered to be a member of the TWG.