FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPIJBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
7 Ju1. -4 
Cia:e3 
Introduced by Senator LOREN LEGARDA 
’ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to professionalize the practice of prison management and set the 
qualifications of the superintendents and wardens of prisons all over the country to ensure that 
the officials heading our penal system are duly capable and competent in performing their 
responsibilities. 
In 2002, there were 25,002 inmates confined in the seven national prison facilities in the 
country, 49 percent were detained in the maximum security complex. 16,134 of the total number 
of inmates were locked up in the National Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa where the congestion 
rate is a stifling 85 percent. 1,013 inmates were waiting in death row. 
The top three crimes committed by the jailed individuals are homicide (26 percent), 
murder (23 percent) and rape (12 percent). The staggering numbers are reflected in the dismal 
situation in our jails. Over crowdedness have lead to epidemics and other untoward incidents 
such as jail breaks and fights. Because of the difficult conditions and situations the officials of 
these lock ups face on a daily basis, there is a clear need to ensure that the heads of the penal 
facilities are properly educated, trained and experienced in handling the various and complex 
circumstances of the country’s penitentiary system. 
This measure requires the superintendents of the country’s national prison system hold 
a bachelor’s degree in Law, preferably licensed practitioners, or have a bachelor’s degree in 
Public Administration, and have educational training Psychology or Sociology. While the 
wardens of provincial, city or municipaI jails must have a bachelor‘s degree in Lxv, Public 
Administration, Psychology or its equivalent with an educational background in Behavioral 
Science or Social Sciences. Nominees and incumbent superintendents and wardens are obliged 
to attend courses and seminars on Jail Management and Corrections Administration. Serving 
officials need to pass these said courses in order to retain their positions. Through this act, the 
prison officials may be sent for training abroad. 
Furthermore, this bill ensures that the superintendents and wardens shall enjoy the 
benefits and privileges of their rank and position given they satisfy the requirements stated in 
this Act. The incumbents shall continue to perform their roles and responsibilities of their 
respective rank and position until they are reassigned, retire, separated from officer or replaced 
by the appointing authority with a qualified official. 
The country’s penal system and the officials that head the organiz?tion play sigdicant 
roles in the maintenance of the justice and safety in our country. To guarantee that this integral 
agency and its officials continue appropriately carry out their functions, the passage of this bill 
is earnestly sought. 
LOREN LEGARDA 
Senator 


, . 1. M * 
.,, 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
7 Jut. -4 R8 :A3 
First Regular Session 
)
.
 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
AN ACT 
TO PROFESSIONALIZE THE PRACTICE OF PRISON MANAGEMENT 
AND 
SET 
FOR 
THAT 
PURPOSE 
THE 
QUALIFICATION 
FOR 
SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE NATIONAL PRISON SYSTEM AND OF 
WARDENS OF PROVINCIAL, CITY OR MUNICIPAL JAILS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
' 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the Professionalization of 
Prison Management Act. 
SECTION 2. Qualifications of Superintendents of Prisons in the National 
Prison System. All Superintendents of Prisons or Colonies or Prison Farms of the 
National Prison System shall have the following qualifications at the time of their 
appointment: 
(a) Holder of a Bachelor's Degree in Law, preferably a member of the 
Philippine Bar; or a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, or 
its equivalent with at least twelve (12) units in Psychology or 
Sociology; 
(b) Training and experience of at least five (5) years in corrections and 
prison management; and 
(c) 
Of good moral character with a reputation in the community for 
probity and fair-mindedness and who has never been convicted of a 
criminal offense nor charged administratively for an act involving 
moral turpitude. 
SECTION 3. Qualifications of Wardens of Provincial, City or Municipal 
Jails. All wardens of Provincial, City or Municipal Jails shall have the following 
qualifications: 
(a) Holder of a Bachelor's Degree in Law, Public Administration, 
Psychology or its equivalent, with at least twelve (12) units in 
Behavioral Sciences, Sociology or Psychology; 


(b) Training and experience of at least three (3) years in corrections and 
prison management; ‘and 
(c) 
Of good moral character with a reputation in the community for 
probity and fair-mindedness and who has never been convicted of a 
criminal offense nor charged administratively for an act involving 
moral turpitude. 
SECTION 4. 
Jail Management and Corrections Administration 
Training. - The Integrated National Police and/or the National Police Academy 
shall conduct courses and seminars on Jail Management and corrections 
administration for nominees and incumbents of Prison Superintendent or Jail 
Warden positions. Incu’mbent superintendents and wardens shall be required to 
pass courses for jail management and corrections administration in order to 
retain their positions. 
SECTION 5. Equivalence of Position, Rank, Salary and Privikges. - 
Superintendents of the National Prison System shall enjoy the position, rank, 
salary and privileges of an Assistant Bureau Director, provincial, city and 
municipal jail wardens shall enjoy the position, rank, salary and privileges of a 
Division Head of a Bureau: Provided, That said Superintendents or Wardens 
shall have the qualifications herein set forth Provided, further, That incumbents 
shall have to first qualify for the requirements of the position herein set forth 
before they can enjoy the position, rank, salary and privileges herein set forth 
Provided, finally that said incumbents shall continue to discharge the duties of 
Superintendent or Warden until reassigned, retired or separated from office, or 
otherwise replaced by the appointing authority by a qualified official. 
SECTION. 6. Separability Clause. - If any part of this Act shall be held 
to be unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof which are not 
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - Any provision of law, decree, order, 
rule or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed 
or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect upon approval and 
completion of its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved,