How much does freedom cost? P50,000 to P1.5 million, says Lacson

MANILA, Philippines — A prisoner would just cough up P50,000 up to P1.5 million to secure early freedom.

Such was the pronouncement of Senator Panfilo Lacson, as he cited the preliminary findings of the Senate in its investigation on the alleged “sale” of the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) at the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

Lacson said the Senate “will pursue to validate” and muster proof of the alleged payoffs that appears to be “well organized.”

“GCTA FOR SALE: So far, we have discovered and will pursue to validate (gather evidence as well) a price range of P50K to P1.5M per prisoner,” Lacson said in a Twitter post Friday.

“At least 8 are known to have paid up to P100K each. It is also well organized. Let’s see where it leads us,” he added.

GCTA FOR SALE: So far, we have discovered and will pursue to validate (gather evidence as well) a price range of P50K to P1.5M per prisoner. At least 8 are known to have paid up to P100K each. It is also well organized. Let’s see where it leads us.

— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) September 6, 2019

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III earlier said convicted drug lords supposedly paid P1.5 million for their release, as bared by a witness on the alleged corruption inside BuCor.

READ: Sotto bares P1.5M payoff for drug lords’ release

Yolanda Camelon claimed during a Senate hearing Thursday that she paid P50,000 to BuCor officials to secure the release of her husband who is currently incarcerated at the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City.

Camelon identified the BuCor officials purportedly involved in the alleged anomaly as Major Mabel Bansil and Staff Sgt. Ramoncito Roque, who has denied in the same hearing of receiving the payment.

READ: Witness tells Senate: Freedom comes with a price tag in Bilibid