BuCor chief: ‘Kubols’ have no legal basis but tolerated for humanitarian reason

MANILA, Philippines – Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Franklin Jesus Bucayu admitted during a Senate hearing on Tuesday that the construction of so-called “kubols” inside the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) had no legal basis, but said this was done for humanitarian reason.

“Due to lack of government funds to construct dormitories, inmates who can afford to buy their own comfort, build their shanties. From there, emerged the so-called ‘kubols,’” Bucayu told the hearing of the Senate committee on justice joint with the committees on public order, family relations and local government.

When asked by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, chairman of the justice committee, if the construction of “kubols” had legal basis, Bucayu said: “Wala po pero for humanitarian reason…”

“Yung pong pagtatayo ng kubol sa isang pag-aaral po ng isang dalubhasang nagpunta sa amin, lumalabas po na ang pagtatayo ng kubol is a coping mechanism of inmates dahil wala pong matutulugan…,” he said.

“Ang isang hindi po tayo sumasang-ayon ay yung somobra po,” the Bucor chief said, noting what he described as “abuse” in the construction of these kubols inside the state penitentiary.