MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte should revamp the Bureau of Corrections, which has been under fire following the reported release of controversial convicts, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Saturday.
“PRRD must revamp the entire officialdom of the BuCor,” Sotto tweeted, referring to Duterte’s presidential initials.
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“This travesty of Justice is condemnable!” he added.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Thursday at least four Chinese nationals convicted of drug charges were released from the New Bilibid Prison in June this year. Lacson did not say if the Chinese nationals were freed because of the controversial Republic Act 10952 or the Good Conduct Time Allowance Law.
Lacson also said he asked for the reportedly issued release order of former Calauan, Laguna mayor and rape-slay convict Antonio Sanchez. The family of Sanchez on Tuesday claimed that an unnamed person told the family that a release order for the former mayor dated August 20 was ready.
The Senate is set to conduct an inquiry into the GCTA law following the reported eligibility of Sanchez to the program.
“One of the objectives of the hearing is not just to review the provisions in the Revised Penal code and the definition of GCTA but also to hold [those responsible] accountable,” Lacson said. — Ian Nicolas Cigaral