(Eagle News)–The Integrated Bar of the Philippines has urged the Department of Justice to make the basis for and evaluation of prisoners’ good conduct, and the computation of Good Conduct Time Allowances “transparent.”
For this, the IBP suggested these be uploaded on the websites of the Department of Justice and of penal institutions.
The IBP said informing the “private offended parties” and their families “much earlier” would also be “welcome.”
The IBP issued the statement as it expressed support for what it said was the public clamor for the DOJ to review “carefully” the cases of prisoners who may be released especially those convicted of heinous crimes.
The supposed clamor was in light of the possible release of former Calauan, Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez, who was convicted of the murder and rape of Aileen Sarmenta, and the murder of Allan Gomez in the 1990s.
The IBP noted that RA 10592, which increased the Good Conduct Time Allowance given to inmates, was, after all, a “valid act of Congress and was for good purposes: reformative approach in dealing with criminal offenders and to decongest the overflowing jails.”
The retroactive application of the law as decreed by the SC, it said, was “in accordance with constitutional principles and the clear mandate of Article 22 of the Revised Penal Code.”
“Refinements and safeguards may be introduced in the implementation or through curative legislation,” the IBP said.
