Computation, processing of GCTA suspended for ten days
(Eagle News)–Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra and Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Thursday, Aug. 29, ordered the creation of a joint committee that will review the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 10592 and the guidelines on the computation and processing of Good Conduct Time Allowances.
The order was contained in Joint Department Order No. 1, which also directs the temporary suspension of the processing and computation of the GCTA pending the conclusion of the work of the joint panel, or for ten working days.
According to the order, an undersecretary from the Department of Justice shall serve as chair of the committee, while another undersecretary from the Department of the Interior and Local Government shall serve as co-chair.
“The chair and co-chair may assign their alternate representatives to the joint committee,” the order said.
The following shall serve as members of the panel according to the order:
- Director-general of the Bureau of Corrections
- Assistant Secretary from the DOJ
- Assistant Secretary from the DILG
- Director of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology
- Executive director or one representative from the Board of Pardons and Parole
- One representative from the Parole and Probation Administration
- One representative from the technical staff of the DOJ
- One representative from the Planning and Management Service of the DOJ
The order said a secretariat or a technical working group composed of the “appropriate number of personnel from the DOJ, DILG, BJMP and BuCor as may be required” shall also be constituted to “assist” the joint panel in its work.
“The joint committee shall submit its report and draft revised implementing rules and regulations, uniform policy and guidelines on the computation of credits and allowances under RA 10592 to the Secretary of Justice and to the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government within ten working days from the issuance hereof,” the order said.
The joint committee was also allowed to draw funds for its meetings from the funds of the DOJ and the DILG.
Earlier, angry netizens slammed the reported possible release of former Calauan, Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez, who was convicted of the murder and rape of Aileen Sarmenta and the murder of her friend Allan Gomez in the 1990s.
The reports came after the Supreme Court in June ruled that RA 10592, which increases the GCTA given to inmates, should be applied retroactively.
This means that inmates who were given a final judgment prior to the enactment of the law in 2013 could benefit from the measure.
The Palace has clarified, however, that the law excludes from its coverage those convicted of heinous crimes, recidivists, escapees and habitual delinquents.