Bureau of Corrections (Bucor) Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said he has ordered the immediate evaluation of prison records of all PDLs to determine whether they are qualified for early release as a result of the GCTA computation.

“Today, I have ordered the evaluation of prison records of those who will qualify under this new ruling of the SC, and we have to make sure ‘na reformed na talaga sila at hindi na sila threat sa society,” said Catapang in a press statement.

According to Catapang the Bucor will prioritize for release qualified PDLs who are seriously ill, saying that this would give them “time to be with their families and loved ones.”
In a ruling released on Thursday (April 4), the SC said the Department of Justice has exceeded its power to subordinate legislation by disqualifying escapees, delinquents and those convicted of heinous crimes from the GCTA benefit that would have allowed them to be released for earning good conduct time allowance.

Apparently, Catapang’s insistence of giving priorities for release of certain convicts may again be questioned before the SC because it might run counter to the ruling.

Legal technicalities may also arise from the observance of Department Order No. 652 issued by the DOJ.

Catapang noted that the order provides that “all PDLs incarcerated in national penitentiaries with expired sentences shall be approved by the Director General of the Bureau of Corrections or his duly authorized representative while the release of PDL’s sentenced to life imprisonment or reclusion perpetua or those classified as high risk/high profile shall be implemented only upon prior approval of the Secretary of Justice.”