Bilibid investigation panel pushed at Senate

MANILA, Philippines - The government should create a fact-finding commission that will conduct a deeper probe into the anomalies and special protection enjoyed by inmates at the National Bilibid Prison (NBP), Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto said yesterday.

This came just days after authorities conducted a raid at the NBP and found that convicted drug traffickers had continued their illegal trade despite being locked up at the state penitentiary while other high-profile inmates enjoyed special treatment, including indulging in a jacuzzi.

Sotto said “it is better if the President commissions a fact-finding committee to probe all allegations” to dispel doubts on the NBP and the Department of Justice.

Sotto suggested that former chief justice Reynato Puno, former senator Panfilo Lacson, and Caloocan Rep. Luis “Baby” Asistio be designated as members of the fact-finding committee.

The senator said the integrity and leadership of Puno and Lacson make them worthy of appointment to the proposed body.

The lawmaker also expressed belief that Asistio’s 13 years at NBP would help the government come up with a better strategy in disciplining the inmates at the overcrowded penitentiary.

Sotto has been pushing for the reimposition of the death penalty for convicted drug traffickers following reports that some have continued their illegal trade at the NBP.

The senator also lamented that many foreign drug syndicate members opted to continue their trade in the Philippines rather than in China because of the lax security, weak law enforcement and slow-paced justice system here.

Meanwhile, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV commended Justice Secretary Leila de Lima for leading the recent raid at the NBP.

“It is now apparent that because of corruption, BuCor (Bureau of Corrections) officials have lost effective control over NBP,” he said.

However, Sen. Sergio Osmeña III frowned on De Lima’s random inspections at the NBP.

“The secretary of justice cannot inspect every facility under her jurisdiction. It is the agency head who must be held responsible,” he said.