Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla yesterday presided over the pre-Christmas release of 361 persons deprived of liberty from the country's various detention facilities, including from the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

Speaking at the NBP where he played Santa to the PDLs, Remulla said the release was in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s desire to decongest correctional institutions.

Those released included those who have already served their sentences, including 33 set free on account of old age, those paroled and acquitted.

Last September, the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Corrections released 371 PDLs. On 24 November, 234 PDLs were allowed to rejoin their families, while 357 regained their freedom last 26 October.

Remulla said he is hoping 700 to 800 PDLs can be released each month soon.

"Actually, there are a lot of people who are not supposed to be in jail and they are being given pardon just to shorten the process (for their release)," Remulla said.

Remulla said the DoJ and the BuCor are eyeing the grant of clemency to at least 2,000 within the first quarter of 2023. Last September, the DoJ endorsed some 300 PDLs to the Office of the Presidency for clemency.