The Department of Justice. (Photo by RYAN LEAGOGO / INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines — Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan has called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to also include the elderly and persons with disability (PWDs) among the prisoners who would be released this Christmas season.
Yamsuan said on Thursday that while he supports decongestion of the country’s jail and correctional facilities, it would be good if the government gives priority to the elderly or PWD — including those whose healths are in a critical condition.
“We urge the DOJ and the BPP to consider giving priority to elderly, frail PDLs and those suffering from critical illnesses and disabilities in recommending the grant of executive clemency to President (Ferdinand) Marcos (Jr.),” he said.
“And we are hopeful that the President would act on these recommendations for humanitarian reasons. Christmas is a time for mercy and compassion. It is also a time that should be spent with one’s family. PDLs who are old, disabled, or in poor health should be given the chance to spend time with their loved ones,” he added.
Yamsuan said this after Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said they have recommended to the President the release of 1,500 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) under executive clemency.
The qualified PDLs were listed by the Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP), an attached agency of the DOJ.
READ: 1,000 prisoners set for release
Yamsuan also lauded Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) efforts to release more than 11,000 PDLs since the start of the Marcos administration.
The release program would bode well for PDLs especially since BuCor’s Reformation and Release Program includes skills training from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
It was confirmed on Wednesday that 985 inmates within the BuCor’s facilities have gained freedom, including 550 of which were from the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City; 156 were from the Davao Prison and Penal Farm (PPF); and 90 from the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong.
Other inmates were also released from other BuCor facilities:
- 72 from San Ramon PPF in Zamboanga City
- 54 from Leyte Regional Prison
- 41 from Iwahig PPF in Palawan
- 22 from Sablayan PPF in Occidental Mindoro.
Most of those released had either served their maximum sentence after deducting the credits earned under the good conduct and time allowance, or were acquitted from their cases.