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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Over 10,000 PDLs to benefit from SC ruling on good conduct time allowance

Over 10,000 PDLs to benefit from SC ruling on good conduct time allowance

Published Apr 4, 2024 07:39 am

Over 10,000 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) are expected to benefit from the recent Supreme Court (SC) decision that declared as included in the grant of good conduct time allowance (GCTA) even those convicted of heinous crimes.

The GCTA law under Republic Act No. 10592 grants credits to PDLs for good behavior during their incarceration and the credits shorten their jail terms.

“Today, I have ordered the evaluation of prison records of those who will qualify under this new ruling of the SC, and we have to make sure ‘na reformed na talaga sila at hindi na sila threat sa society (they are truly reformed and no longer threats to society),” said Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. in a statement.

But, he said, BuCor will prioritize qualified PDLs who are terminally ill or seriously ill “so they still have time to be with their families and loved ones.”

Catapang had submitted a list of qualified PDLs to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

He said tht under the DOJ's Department Order (DO) 652, “all PDLs incarcerated in national penitentiaries with expired sentences shall be approved by the Director General of the Bureau of Corrections or his duly authorized representative while the release of PDLs sentenced to life imprisonment or reclusion perpetua or those classified as high-risk/high-profile shall be implemented only upon prior approval of the Secretary of Justice.”

“We will also coordinate with the Department of Labor and Employment and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for job opportunities for these PDLs,” he also said. 

In a decision handed down last Wednesday, April 3, in Baguio City during its traditional summer sessions, the SC declared that  persons convicted of heinous crimes are also entitled to GCTA which would enable their early release from prison.

The SC's Public Information Office (PIO) explained the High Court’s ruling declared as invalid the 2019 Implementing Rules and Regulations (2019 IRR) of RA 10592.

The PIO said the 2019 IRR has been found by the SC as having “exceeded its power of subordinate legislation when it excluded persons convicted of heinous crimes from the benefits of Republic Act (RA) No. 10592, or the New Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law.”

“The 2019 IRR expanded the scope of R.A. No. 10592 when it excluded recidivists, habitual delinquents, escapees, and persons deprived of liberty convicted of heinous crimes from earning GCTA credits when the law itself did not do so,” the PIO stated.

“The Court ruled that Article 97 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by R.A. No. 10592, is clear that any convicted prisoner is entitled to GCTA as long as the prisoner is in any penal institution, rehabilitation or detention center, or any other local jail,” it added.

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