Bureau of Corrections
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has opposed the approval of the proposed writ of kalayaan to set free convicted criminals because of the congestion and subhuman conditions in jail facilities in the country.
In a statement on Thursday, BuCor said it submitted a position paper, signed by Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr., to Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, chair of the Supreme Court’s committee on human rights and international law, noting that the bureau was already addressing the problems of its facilities.
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In its position paper, BuCor noted that the release of inmates would be better left to the legislative and executive departments.
“Executive clemency issued by the President is governed by executive issuances emanating from the executive department. Indeed, matters on jail conditions, treatment of PDLs (persons deprived of liberty), mode of PDL of releases and the like are best left to the discretion of the legislature and the executive,” it said.