Prisons chief Diokno not ruling out resignation as option—De Lima

MANILA, Philippines—Beleaguered Bureau of Corrections chief Ernesto Diokno is not ruling out resignation but for now, he says he is determined to prove that he is innocent of allegations that he had allowed the special treatment of favored prisoners inside the national penitentiary.

Diokno had a closed-door meeting with Justice Secretary Leila De Lima to whom he presented pertinent documents including memorandums showing the reforms he had initiated inside the National Penitentiary since he assumed office last year.

“He is not foreclosing the idea of a resignation. But right now, he told me that he will prove that has not been remiss of his work and he initiated reforms inside the NBP [New Bilibid Prison],” De Lima said.

“He wants to prove that command responsibility should not reach him,” De Lima added.

Diokno will be on leave of absence starting May 23 while the investigation on the special treatment of some prisoners inside the national penitentiary is ongoing.

“I appreciate his move,” De Lima said, noting that Diokno took a leave of absence even if she said it is still premature to decide on whether to put Diokno on preventive suspension or not is.

Taking over Diokno’s position in an acting capacity is Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan.

De Lima said she could not designate anyone from the NBP “because technically, they are all under investigation.”