BBM credits FL for pushing humane conditions in jails
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos has pushed to decongest overcrowded jails and penal colonies, an advocacy she began while teaching law at Mariano Marcos State University and Northwestern University in Ilocos Norte.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. credited his wife for bringing attention to the problems faced by persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), including those languishing in jail without legal representation.
He made the remarks in his speech at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City for the 32nd National Correctional Consciousness Week celebration on Wednesday.
“When Liza, a lawyer, was still teaching at a law school in Ilocos Norte, she discovered that one of the problems PDLs faced was not having lawyers to represent them. So she brought her students to Ilocos Norte jails to learn about the plight of the PDLs. After that, some were released because they resolved their problems through Liza,” the President said.
PDLs make gains
Earlier this month, Mrs. Marcos visited the NBP, bringing art, medical care, and legal assistance in an initiative aimed at helping PDLs rebuild their lives and prepare for their return to society.
Through the Kulay, Kalinga, Katarungan at Kalayaan program, the First Lady brought with her more than 200 lawyers and representatives of various organizations to assist in reviewing cases and processing the documents for the release of qualified inmates.
Forty-three PDLs were released on that day, while the documents of more than 1,000 others were processed for their release in the coming weeks.
Yesterday, the President witnessed the release of 265 PDLs and awarded them Certificates of Discharge after they completed their sentences or qualified for release.
Of the total, 78 were freed from the NBP, 48 from the Davao Prison and Penal Farm, 42 from the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm, 38 from the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm, 31 from the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, 17 from the Leyte Regional Prison, 10 from the Correctional Institution for Women, and one from the CIW Iwahig. Sixteen others were granted executive clemency.
The grounds for release included completed probation and sentence, parole, habeas corpus, and other legal processes, according to Bucor director general Gregorio Catapang.
Catapang said 37,066 PDLs have been released under the Marcos administration.
The President said those who made mistakes and faced accountability should be given a chance to change and start over.
He directed the Department of Justice to strengthen legal assistance to PDLs and expedite the release process for those who have completed their sentences.
As part of the reforms, he said, the Katarungan Caravan and Bilis Laya Program are being implemented, with the help of volunteer lawyers who review the records and documents of PDLs.
At the same time, the government is expanding and improving prison facilities to reduce congestion and provide a safer place for PDLs’ rehabilitation.