Taste for the art Sen. Richard Gordon checks on the paintings of Bureau of Jail Management and Penology inmates out for sale during an exhibition in Tagaytay City. He bought six pieces in support to the worthwhile activity.

Sen. Richard Gordon is eyeing an exhibit at the Senate to showcase artworks made by inmates of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

This after Gordon bought six acrylic paintings made by BJMP inmates after visiting penitentiaries in Tagaytay City.

Gordon expressed admiration to the inmates who have shown their skills and talents in art and he bloated the idea of bringing their works at the Senate for an exhibit.

He stressed that the exhibit would also help inmates raise money.

According to BJMP, part of the proceeds from paintings sold during exhibits are used as payment for the bails and fines of deserving persons deprived of liberty.

The recent exhibit in Tagaytay was part of the Tagaytay City Jail’s Sponsor-a-Release Program.

Aside from canvass paintings, the BJMP is also selling artworks made from rhinestones, beaded vases, foot rags, neck pillows, cloth slippers and flowers and pots made from recycled papers, which are all crafted by inmates from Tagaytay City, Antipolo City and Rizal province.

In another development, Gordon filed on Monday a proposed bill creating an independent arm that will ensure the security of the judiciary entitled following reports of threats against judges.

Senate Bill 1181 entitled “An Act Creating the Philippine Marshal Service Under the Control and Supervision of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, Appropriating Funds Therefor and for Other Purposes” aims to establish the Philippine Marshal Service that will protect the lives of members of the judiciary and will assist in the administration of justice.

The bill came following Supreme Court Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta’s statement that he envisions having a security force, patterned after the United States Marshals Service, that will protect the judges.

Gordon earlier expressed concern over the high number of murder cases involving members of the judiciary in the country, including the ambush of Ilocos Sur Judge Mario Anacleto Bañez in San Fernando, La Union last 5 November.

Former Municipal Trial Court Judge Exequil Dagala was also shot dead at his residence in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte last 1 November.