Philippines: Freedom for 6,000 inmates this Christmas, allowing them to start life anew

Manila: About 6,000 Filipino inmates would walk free from jails in the Philippines this December in time for Christmas, said officials. Thjat includes 1,000 inmates, also known as persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), expected to get pardon and start life anew during this season.

Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano, who is also the spokesperson of the Department of Justice (DOJ), told local media that the department anticipates recommending nearly 1,000 PDLs to Malacañang, the presidential palace, for presidential clemency.

Among the possible recipients of presidential pardon are elderly inmates.

In a passionate plea on Thursday (December 21), Filipino lawmaker Brian Raymund Yamsuan of Bicol Saro Party-list urged the DOJ to cast a spotlight on the forgotten—the elderly, the ailing, and the persons with disabilities (PWDs), and those who already served at least 10 years—in the pursuit of extending executive clemency.

Yamsuan's call echoed against the backdrop of the DOJ's efforts to untangle the web of overcrowded Philippine prisons.

He highlighted the Bureau of Corrections' (BuCor) pivotal role in working on the emancipation of over 11,000 PDLs since the start of the Marcos administration.

This, he emphasized, was an integral chapter in the government's efforts to alleviate the strains of an overly stressed correctional system and overcrowded jails.

Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan has urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to prioritise elderly, sick, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in recommending executive clemency for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

Humanitarian gesture

The legislator also hoped President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. would consider these recommendations for humanitarian reasons, especially during the Christmas season.

In 2022, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) released 77,960 PDLs through paralegal services and another 25,333 PDLs through other paralegal modes, for a total of 103,000 releases, according to Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos, Jr. 

Overcrowding in Philippines jails has been a problem for a long time and efforts are afoot to speed up the trial of cases through enhanced data management, filling up vacant seats of judges, community bail programme, and enhanced paralegal services.

Good conduct

On December 2, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) announced that up to 5,000 PDLs are expected to be released this December through the full Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA).

BJMP Director Ruel Rivera shared the news during a forum in Quezon City, stating, “Many will be released this Christmas season. More or less, we can release about 3,000 to 5,000 PDL in December.” Rivera highlighted that the PDL release aligns with the GCTA, a provision reducing sentences for well-behaved inmates.

Rivera mentioned the upcoming agreement between BJMP and the Department of Labour and Employment to assist PDL in finding employment post-release. The bureau has also collaborated with TESDA to offer courses equipping ex-convicts with employable skills.

Referring to BJMP records, Rivera noted that approximately 74,000 PDL have been released from January to October 2023.