MANILA, Philippines –The statuses of 109 living out prisoners were put on hold after the arrest of former Batangas Governor Antonio Leviste who used his status as a “living out prisoner” to go in and out of prison without permit, Bureau of Corrections Director Ernesto Diokno said.
Diokno said he would first discuss with Justice Secretary Leila de Lima how they would deal with the prisoners to determine if they can still have such “living out” privilege.
“A total of 109 living out inmates have been affected. They can no longer roam freely around the prison facility,” he said in an interview over Radyo Inquirer’s Tapatan with Jay Sonza and Den Macaranas.
He said approval from the DoJ is no longer needed in granting any inmate a living out status. Diokno explained the list of those entitled to such a privilege is within the classification of the Muntinlupa board. Those entitled to such privilege are those sickly inmates, those above 70 years old and those serving a minimum sentence.
Diokno added that living-out inmates are also a big help to the penal institution since most of them help in the motorpool or in the water pump.
Diokno also denied allegations Leviste enjoyed such privilege because they are both “Batangenos.”
“It’s not me but the previous administration who gave him such privileges,” he said.
Still, he said Leviste was qualified as a living out prisoner since he is over 70 years old. Fatima Reyes, INQUIRER.net