DOJ: Recommended revised IRR submitted to Guevarra, Año include transparency provisions, definition of heinous crimes

(Eagle News)–The recommended revised implementing rules and regulations  of the Good Conduct Time Allowance law now include a specific definition of heinous crimes to avoid any other interpretation of the terms.

According to Justice spokesperson Markk Perete, who gave a radio interview on Sunday, Sept. 15, apart from the definition, the  IRR  revised by a joint Department of Justice and Department of the Interior and Local Government panel, and which have been submitted to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra and Interior Secretary Eduardo Año for their review include “transparency provisions” that, among others, require the  publication of the names of convicts to be released and the involvement of the civil society in the  deliberation prior to the release of a convict.

“Ang ginawa kasi joint review committee, nilagay na dun sa bawat section kung sino ang disqualified. May dalawang uri kasi ng GCTA, GCTA for preventive imprisonment at GCTA sa conviction,” he added.

Perete said the recommended IRR will be explained in a meeting on Monday, Sept. 16.

The panel, which Guevarra and Año had also tasked with a revision of the guidelines for GCTA accreditation, was created following outrage over the release of convicts of heinous crimes under the GCTA law that reduces the sentence of convicts for good conduct.

The panel has asked for a deadline extension on the submission of the revised guidelines for GCTA accreditation.

In a Senate hearing on the GCTA law, Guevarra had said there was a need to include a specific definition of heinous crimes in the law as what was currently being used was a definition specified in the death penalty law.

The death penalty was abolished in 2006, under then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Guevarra also recommended the transparency provisions, and a provision on the oversight of Congress in the release of inmates.

He also recommended the inclusion of a separate section of who should be excluded from availing of the benefits of the law.

Guevarra has suspended the release of convicts under the GCTA law pending the completion of the work of the panel.