(Eagle News)–Senator Richard Gordon is proposing to “improve” Republic Act 10592 that increases the Good Conduct Time Allowances given to inmates.
In filing Senate Bill No. 974, Gordon noted there was a need to do this so that the “meritorious principle of the law upon which it is based can be implemented,” and the law can be safeguarded from “abuse of powerful personalities whose years of imprisonment have not changed a bit the crooked and villainous character that made them commit crimes for which they have been convicted.”
The bill, which also proposes the digitalization of prison records to ensure “prompt and accurate” time served by the inmate, was filed following uproar over the reported possible release of former Calauan, Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez.
Sanchez was convicted of the murder and rape of Aileen Sarmenta, and of the murder of her friend Allan Gomez in the 1990s.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra had said this was possible following a Supreme Court ruling in June that said RA 10592 should be applied retroactively.
This meant included in its coverage were inmates who were given a final judgement prior to the enactment of the measure in 2013.
The Palace later said, however, that Sanchez was not eligible for early release under the law as the law excludes those convicted of heinous crimes, escapees, recidivists and habitual delinquents.
Earlier, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senate President Tito Sotto filed resolutions seeking to amend RA 10592.