No more VIPs, but Bilibid remains congested

No more motel-like kubol (cubicles) inside the maximum security compound at the national penitentiary.

According to New Bilibid Prison (NBP) Superintendent Ramon Reyes, they have already “refurbished” the cubicles that used to be occupied by wealthy inmates, including Chinese drug lords.

“That system has already been corrected. No more motel-like rooms; no more toilets for exclusive use of VIP inmates,” he told reporters.

Two months ago, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and some lawmakers, including Representative Rodolfo Biazon, fumed over their discovery that rich and influential convicts were allowed to build and furnish their own housing units with little supervision from Bureau of Correction (BuCor) officials.

Despite the problem of overcrowding in the NBP, some cubicles were occupied by only one or two inmates, while the rest were packed in smaller cells.

Some cubicles even had their own ventilation, entertainment system, and other luxuries.

On Friday, Biazon and the members of the media who were given a tour of the facility by BuCor officials led by its new director, Gaudencio Pangilinan, and shown that some of the cubicles, including one that had wall-to-wall mirrors, as well as other special amenities, no longer exist.

The tour, however, covered only one of the 13 buildings at the maximum security compound, the hospital and the kitchen.

Each cubicle they were shown was occupied by four to eight inmates.

“At least they already removed the motel-like kubols, the play area which I saw when I went here before. And I was told that there are no more VIPs,” Biazon said.

He added that while he was satisfied with what he saw during his inspection, he acknowledged that the facility remains congested.

The maximum security compound has a capacity of 6,000 but houses 12,000 inmates.

“I still think we are not able to provide the ideal facilities for inmates,” said Biazon, author of two pending bills in Congress that aim to modernize BuCor and increase the salaries of its personnel.

Reyes also said the “sleep out” privilege was no longer enjoyed by VIP prisoners like former Batangas Governor Antonio Leviste, whose foray outside the national penitentiary last May triggered the crackdown.

During Friday’s tour, the media chanced upon Leviste, who said he was okay although he already has diabetes, hypertension and weakening eyesight.

JB Sebastian, who identified himself as the commander of Commando Gang prevented the former governor from answering further questions from reporters particularly about the NBP policy, saying it might get Leviste into trouble again.