MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) wants to file administrative or criminal charges against 5 more Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and New Bilibid Prison (NBP) personnel in connection with former Batangas Governor Antonio Leviste’s caper outside his prison cell.
In a press conference, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the number already excludes former BuCor chief Ernesto Diokno, whose case has become moot following his resignation from the post.
Included is jail guard Faustino Justo, who was relieved immediately after news of the Leviste escapade was released. Justo will face both criminal and administrative charges, she said.
De Lima did not name the other 4, saying she is still waiting for President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino’s go-signal.
“We will wait for the go-signal of the President to release the report and then once we release the report, we will act accordingly. The scope of the President’s powers covers only that of Diokno, who is a presidential appointee, but the report covers everyone,” she said.
Nonetheless, de Lima said she does not need the approval of Aquino in terms of implementing the recommendations.
“I think the President would also want to contribute to the recommendations, meaning, he would want to think over the appropriate measures to be undertaken immediately,” she added.
She reiterated the reforms would be “sweeping.”
‘There is corruption in the system’
Because of several practices, which have become arbitrary over time, “corruption is not avoided,” she said.
“Although we do not have the proof, in the course of the proceedings, the facts and circumstances would point to the presence of corruption,” she said.
De Lima cited, for example, the living-out and sleeping-out privileges of prisoners.
Living out means the prisoner can freely move around the compound during day time, while sleeping out allows the prisoner to literally sleep outside.
She said the living-out privilege may be considered for as long as this is clarified in the BuCor operating manual.
“We can place that in the manual, for as long as the standards and parameters are clear. At present, it is arbitrary, it will depend on the discretion of the superintendent,” she added. -- report from Ina Reformina
