Up to 10K PDLs may be home for the holidays under GCTA – BuCor

On April 3, the SC en banc ruled that any convicted prisoner is entitled to GCTA as long as the prisoner is in a penal institution, rehabilitation or detention center, or any other local jail. (Pexels Photo)

By Benjamin Pulta, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Monday said between 5,000 to 10,000 persons deprived of liberty (PDL) may gain their freedom before Christmas.

“The anticipated release is prompted by the finalization of the implementing rules and regulations for the application of Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) to heinous crime convicts,” BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said in a news release.

On April 3, the SC en banc ruled that any convicted prisoner is entitled to GCTA as long as the prisoner is in a penal institution, rehabilitation or detention center, or any other local jail.

According to BuCor, there are 27,311 individuals convicted of heinous crimes in various correction facilities nationwide who will benefit from the SC decision if they exhibit good conduct and have served more than half of their sentences.

Of the total, 9,168 will be eligible for release if the computation is based on the date of detention, or 5,039 if the computation is based on the date they were received in BuCor facilities.

The BuCor earlier said priority will be given to the sickly, terminally ill, and those 70 years old and above.

Meanwhile, the BuCor has released 500 persons deprived of liberty between Oct. 22 and Nov. 25, including the 104 present at Monday’s concluding activity.

Of the number, 347 had served their maximum sentences, 110 were acquitted, 21 received probation, 20 were granted parole, one was allowed bail, and another was released through habeas corpus.

Catapang emphasized the bureau’s intention to foster stronger partnerships with the business sector to empower former inmates and enable them to lead productive lives and contribute to their communities through job opportunities.

So far, responses have come from San Miguel Corporation, under the leadership of business executive Ramon S. Ang, as well as BF One Foods Inc., represented by its president, Antonio Sebastian Escalante, he said.

Catapang said the BuCor also seeks enhanced collaboration with various government agencies, including local government units, particularly in areas where former PDLs will be reintegrated; the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA); Commission on Higher Education (CHED); Department of Education (DepEd); Department of Health (DOH); Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); and other stakeholders from the private sector to support efforts in reforming and reintegrating PDLs.