De Lima to Bucayu: No place for negligence in BuCor

MANILA, Philippines - Zero tolerance for negligence and misconduct.

This was the standing order issued yesterday by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to newly appointed Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Franklin Jesus Bucayu.

“I am confident that the incoming BuCor director will be up to the challenge of continuing a policy of zero tolerance for negligence and misconduct among the ranks of prison guards and BuCor officials and employees,” she said.

De Lima said she has known Bucayu for his human rights advocacy. “Now, I anticipate his equally sincere and competent performance as a leader, a manager and a reformer – both of the institution and of its inmates – in his new post.”

BuCor exec reprimanded, 18 jail guards suspended

Meanwhile, the justice chief yesterday imposed disciplinary penalties against a ranking BuCor official and 18 prison guards in various penal colonies.

BuCor administrative division officer-in-charge Alfredo Benitez was reprimanded for violation of office rules.

The 18 jail guards, on the other hand, were ordered suspended for various offenses, including simple neglect of duty and conduct grossly prejudicial to the best interest of service and grave misconduct.

The sanctions were imposed following “violent and disturbing incidents” at the New Bilibid Prison late last year such as the grenade explosion within NBP’s premises and the escape of Ozamis robbery gang leader Ricky Cadavero.

Meanwhile, De Lima lauded outgoing BuCor OIC, National Bureau of Investigation deputy director Rafael Marcos Ragos.

“He provided the firm and disciplining hand when it was much, much needed in the BuCor,” she said.

Bucayu was appointed BuCor chief by President Aquino vice Gaudencio Pangilinan Jr., who resigned last December over several controversies in the bureau.

Prior to his resignation, Pangilinan went on indefinite leave for four months following the “abduction” of murder convict Rolito Go inside the NBP in August last year.

Pangilinan was appointed by President Aquino in June 2011 to replace former BuCor director Ernesto Diokno, who was removed from the post after the unauthorized trip of former Batangas governor and convicted killer Antonio Leviste from the national penitentiary in May 2012.

Kabungsuan Makilala, former assistant head of BuCor’s bids and awards committee, had earlier claimed that VIP treatment, prostitution and corruption worsened in NBP under Pangilinan. He even filed a complaint against Pangilinan before the Office of the Ombudsman.