The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) announced that the agency is taking proactive steps to address claims made by Kapatid, a support group for political prisoners, regarding the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) program.

In a statement, BuCor director general Gregorio Catapang Jr. acknowledged that while Kapatid’s allegations lack specific details about which facilities they concern, he remains committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in GCTA implementation.

Since taking office, Catapang has initiated significant reforms to improve oversight. These include establishing a National/Central Management, Screening and Evaluation Committee and local committees in each BuCor facility.

As an example of these reforms, Catapang cited the New Bilibid Prison, where the Management Screening and Evaluation Committee (MSEC) operates with a clearly defined framework. The committee includes six chairpersons — four overseeing the Maximum Security compound, and one each for Medium and Minimum Security.

Catapang said this arrangement ensures thorough deliberations, reinforced by the presence of observers from the prosecutor’s office, the parole and probation administration and legal representatives.

He added that these measures reflect BuCor’s dedicated effort to uphold the GCTA program’s integrity while fostering dialogue with advocacy groups.

Catapang also expressed gratitude to the Supreme Court for its recent decision allowing all persons deprived of liberty, including those convicted of heinous crimes, to benefit from GCTA, facilitating their early release.

To date, BuCor has released 23,579 individuals under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.