Catapang vows transparency amid GCTA controversy

Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said the agency is taking proactive measures to address concerns raised by Kapatid, a support group for political prisoners, over the implementation of the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) program.

While Catapang noted that the group’s claims lacked specificity — particularly regarding which correctional facilities were involved — he emphasized the bureau’s commitment to transparency and accountability in enforcing the GCTA law.

Since assuming leadership, Catapang has implemented reforms to enhance oversight, including the creation of a National/Central Management, Screening and Evaluation Committee, as well as corresponding local panels in each BuCor facility.

One example is the framework at New Bilibid Prison, where the Management Screening and Evaluation Committee (MSEC) operates with six chairpersons—four assigned to the Maximum Security compound, and one each to the Medium and Minimum Security sections.

These committees conduct thorough reviews of GCTA cases, with participation from observers from the prosecutor’s office, the Parole and Probation Administration, and legal representatives, Catapang said.

He also welcomed the Supreme Court’s recent ruling allowing all persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) — including those convicted of heinous crimes — to benefit from the GCTA, paving the way for their early release under lawful grounds.

As of June 2025, BuCor has released 23,579 PDLs under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.