MANILA, Philippines - The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Friday lauded President Benigno Aquino III for signing the Republic Act 10575 or the Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013.
CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Prison and Pastoral Care executive secretary Rodolfo Diamante said he believes that the newly-signed measure will rectify the system in the Bureau of Corrections, curbing corruption in detention centers.
Diamante said the law will boost the Church's advocacy of "restorative justice."
"We are happy that the President finally heard our call for this. Welcome move ito. Full support ako diyan because somehow it will going to provide the due print para mabago ang sistema ng corrections sa buong bansa na pabor sa mga mayayaman," Diamante told Church-run Radyo Veritas.
The corrections law will also improve the salaries and benefits of jail personnel as well as their training in the proper management of jail facilities in the country, he added.
Diamante said the CBCP-ECPPC will monitor the implementation of the law in the next five days, which aims at including the rehabilitation of prisoners in community-based services.
To date, the ratio of jail personnel to inmate is at 1:144.