Panel convenes for first time today
(Eagle News)–The joint panel tasked to review the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 10592 has until September 12 to submit its recommendations to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra and Interior Secretary Eduardo Año.
This is according to Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete, who announced the panel, which is also tasked to review the guidelines for the computation and processing of inmates’ Good Conduct Time Allowances increased under RA 10592, convened for the first time today, Aug. 30.
Perete said the panel composed of representatives from the Department of Justice, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Bureau of Corrections and the Board of Pardons and Parole, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Parole and Probation Administration, among others, was chaired by Justice Undersecretary Deo Marco.
Perete said BuCor Director General Nicanor Faeldon was also present.
Guevarra and Año ordered the creation of the panel following outrage over the reported possible release of former Calauan, Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez.
Sanchez was convicted of the murder and rape of Aileen Sarmenta, and the killing of her friend Allan Gomez in the 1990s.
The reports came after the Supreme Court ruled in June that RA 10592 should be applied retroactively to include inmates who were given a final judgment prior to the enactment of the law in 2013.
But the Palace has already clarified the law itself was clear excluded from its coverage were convicts of heinous crimes, recidivists, habitual delinquents and escapees.
The processing of GCTAs has been put on hold pending the work of the panel.
Guevarra also suspended the deportation of Chinese drug lords who, according to Senator Panfilo Lacson, had been released from the New Bilibid Prison under the GCTA law.
Guevarra said the suspension of the convicts under Bureau of Immigration custody was until the panel completes its work and until it determines the cause of action on the convicts of heinous crimes who may have been released from jail.
The Palace has said, however, that the released convicts should be sent back to jail as they are not eligible to benefit from RA 10592 in the first place.
