BJMP sat on CCTV repair requests
The Sandiganbayan has questioned the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology’s (BJMP) failure to act on repair requests for the faulty surveillance system at the New Quezon City Jail, where former House Speaker Martin Romualdez is detained, after finding that most of its CCTV cameras were not working.
In an order dated 10 November, the anti-graft court’s Third Division noted that the facility’s CCTV system had not undergone maintenance since its installation in 2020, despite Jail Superintendent Maria Lourdes Pacion informing the BJMP since last year of the need for repairs.
The requests, however, remained pending, leaving serious gaps in the monitoring and security of detainees, including Romualdez.
The court’s finding followed an ocular inspection of the New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas on 9 November, amid reports that Romualdez had supposedly been allowed to leave the facility without notifying the court.
Of the facility’s 450 CCTV cameras, only 220 were operational, according to information provided by jail officials to the justices.
Worse, only 28 of the 152 cameras monitoring areas housing high-profile detainees were working. No working camera covered Romualdez’s detention cell.
The court also found that the surveillance system had limited video storage capacity, resulting in the early deletion of recorded footage.
“The resulting blind spots constitute a serious deficiency in the facility’s security and monitoring arrangements. They impair the ability of jail authorities to account reliably for the movements of persons within the premises, including persons under detention,” the order read.
The Third Division expressed deep concern over the BJMP’s failure to address the deficiencies, noting that all accused under the Sandiganbayan’s jurisdiction, including high-profile personalities, were placed under the physical custody of the facility.
The court called on the government agencies concerned to act on the surveillance problems, emphasizing the need to ensure security and accountability for everyone in detention.
On Wednesday, the Sandiganbayan again summoned Pacion, medical officer Henry Fabro, and the official in charge of the CCTV system to appear at the bail hearing on 12 November.
The summons marked the third time in less than a week that Pacion and Fabro had been called to testify on Romualdez’s detention arrangements.
Questions over detention rules
Beyond the defective cameras, the court also questioned inconsistencies in Pacion’s testimony about Romualdez’s personal aide, identified as Arvin de Guzman, who was reportedly allowed to be with the former House Speaker around the clock.
During proceedings on 5 November, Pacion said De Guzman was staying with Romualdez on a “24/7” basis. She later clarified that the aide was merely “on call.”
The court also flagged the aide’s reported visits on Mondays, despite Pacion’s testimony that the facility did not allow visits on that day.
When questioned about the compliance with BJMP rules governing personal aides, Pacion invoked humanitarian considerations and her discretion in determining the needs of persons deprived of liberty.
The court said her earlier testimony was difficult to reconcile with her subsequent explanation that De Guzman was observing regular visiting hours.
“When [Pacion] was asked about compliance with BJMP rules in connection to the presence of Romualdez’s personal aide in the facility, she had to invoke humanitarian considerations and her prerogative in determining the needs of [persons deprived of liberty],” the court said.
It suggested that the BJMP refer the matter involving De Guzman to the Office of the Ombudsman for evaluation and appropriate action.
The Sandiganbayan directed BJMP Jail Director Efren Nemeño to submit a report within 10 days on the condition of the surveillance system at the detention facility.
It stressed that detention rules must be enforced equally, regardless of an accused person’s position or influence.
“Public confidence in the administration of justice requires that the detention of every accused, regardless of position, influence, or circumstance, be governed by the same standards of security, accountability, and equal treatment under the law,” the order said.