DOJ lowers bail for indigent suspects
Department of Justice (DOJ)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has lowered the amount of bail for indigent Filipinos accused in bailable criminal cases filed before the courts.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the bail reform was part of the government’s efforts to ease congestion in jail facilities nationwide.
Under Department Circular No. 011, prosecutors were instructed “to consider the financial capacity of the accused when recommending the amount of bail for criminal information for filing in court.”
The DOJ set a cap of P10,000 as the maximum amount of bail on bailable cases for indigents.
Prosecutors in cases involving indigent respondents will only indicate 50 percent of the recommended bail as stated in the 2018 Bail Bond Guide, or P10,000, whichever is lower, the circular said.
The new policy applies to all cases undergoing inquest or preliminary investigation proceedings of indigents if their crimes are not punishable by death, reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment.
Mico Clavano, the spokesperson for the DOJ, said the circular was effective immediately.
