BuCor targets release of 5,000-6,000 prisoners via GCTA by yearend

104 persons deprived of liberty (PDL) have been released from various penal facilities under the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) as part of its jail decongestion program.

MANILA, Philippines – Some 5,000 to 6,000 inmates or persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) are targeted to be released from Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) facilities next month, including those convicted of heinous crimes.

BuCor Director Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said the implementing rules and regulations for the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) has already been signed by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and is already on the table of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

“Tentatively, the ceremonial signing is on December 2, and then, hopefully, bago matapos yung taon (before the year ends), we will have a mass release of about 5,000 or more,” Catapang told reporters.

Catapang explained that the bulk of the number of PDLs for release are those convicted of heinous crimes.

Previously, PDLs convicted of heinous crimes were excluded from the benefits of GCTA.

Under Republic Act 10592, also known as the GCTA Law, GCTA is defined as “a privilege granted to a prisoner, whether detained or convicted by final judgment, entitling him to a reduction of his jail or prison term for every month of actual detention or service of sentence as a reward for good conduct and exemplary behavior.”

In the September 2021 case of Gil Miguel vs. Director, Bureau of Prisons, the Supreme Court (SC) ruled that PDLs who were convicted of murder and other heinous crimes were disqualified from the grant of GCTA.

But in the recent case of Maclang vs. Hon. Leila de Lima, where the former was convicted of the heinous crime of kidnapping for ransom, the SC held that the respondent is entitled to the benefits of RA 10592.

BuCor then asked the Supreme Court for a clarification.

In its recent ruling, the Supreme Court said Article 97 of the Revised Penal Code, which was amended by the Expanded GCTA law, “is clear that any convicted prisoner is entitled to GCTA as long as the prisoner is in any penal institution, rehabilitation or detention center or any other local jail.”

Catapang said with the mass release of PDLs, they are hoping to further reduce the jail congestion from 250 percent down to 220 or 200 percent.

BuCor continues its gradual release of PDLs.

A total of 500 PDLs have been released between October 22 and November 25 including the 104 PDLs released Monday.

Catapang said, among those released, 347 had served their maximum sentences, 110 were acquitted, 21 received probation, 20 were granted parole, one was allowed bail, and another individual was released through habeas corpus.

From the total releases, 39 came from the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City, 9 from CIW Mindanao, 53 from Davao Prison and Penal Farm, 41 from Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, 20 from Leyte Regional Prison, 135 from the Maximum Security Camp of New Bilibid Prison (NBP), 69 from the Medium Security Camp of NBP, 20 from the Minimum Security Camp of NBP, 14 from the Reception and Diagnostic Center of NBP, 44 from Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm, and 56 from San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm.