FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
1408 
S.B. No. _=-'=--=--=---
7 
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to professionalize the practice of prison management and set 
the qualifications of 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. 
Over crowdedness have led to epidemics and other untoward incidents such 
as jailbreaks and fights. Due to the difficult conditions and situations the officials of 
these penal facilities 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 that superintendents of the country's national prison 
system sl10uld hold a bachelor's degree in Law, preferably licensed practitioners, or 
have a bachelor's degree in Public Administration, and have educational training in 
Psychology or Sociology. While the wardens of provincial, city or municipal jails 
must have a bachelor's degree in Law, 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 superintendents and wardens enjoy the 
benefits and privileges of their rank and position provided they satisfy the 
requirements stated in this Act. The incumbents shall continue to perform the roles 
and responsibilities of their respective rank and position until they are reassigned, 
retire, separated froD;! office or replaced by the appointing authority by a qualified 
official. 
The counh-y's penal system and the officials that head the organization play 
significant roles .in the maintenance of justice and safety in our country. To 
guarantee that this integral agency and its officials continue to appropriately carry 
out their functions, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
.~:::-::===-:-~-~:=--:;.;~?~";="'" ----:~ -. -~-~:-~ 
LOREN .LEGARDA 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
~ 
,~' 
. ) 
, 
SENATE 
S.B.No. 1408 
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 House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Professionalization of 
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Prison Management Act." 
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SEC. 2. Qualifications of Superintendents of Prisons in the National Prison 
5 
System. - All Superintendents of Prisons or Colonies or Prison Farms of the National 
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Prison System shall have the following qualifications at the time of their 
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appointment: 
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a. Holder of a Bachelor's Degree in Law, preferably a member of the Philippine 
10 
Bar; or a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, or its equivalent with at 
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least twelve (12) units in Psychology or Sociology; 
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b. Training and experience of at least five (5) years in corrections and prison 
, 
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management; and 
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c. Of good moral character with a reputation in the community for probity and 
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fair-mindedness and who has never been convicted of a criminal offense nor 
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charged administratively for an act involving moral turpitude. 
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f 


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SEC. 3. Qualifications of Wardens of Provincial, City or Municipal Jails. -. 
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All wardens of Provincial, City or Municipal Jails shall have the following 
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qualifica tions: 
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a. Holder of a Bachelor's Degree in Law, Public Administration, Psychology or 
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its equivalent, with at least twelve (12) units in Behavioral Sciences, Sociology 
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or Psychology; 
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b. Training and experience of at least three (3) years in corrections and prison 
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management; and 
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c. Of good moral character with a reputation in the community for probity and 
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fair-rnindedness and who has never been convicted of a criminal offense nor 
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charged administratively for an act involving moral turpitude. 
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SEC. 4. Jail Management and Corrections Administration Training. - The 
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Integrated National Police and! or the National Police Academy shall conduct 
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courses and seminars on jail management and corrections administration for 
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nominees and incumbents of Prison Superintendent or Jail Warden positions. 
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Incumbent superintendents and wardens shall be required to pass courses for jail 
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management and corrections administration in order to retain their positions. 
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SEC. 5. Equivalence of Position, Rank, Salary and Privileges. 
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Superintendents of the National Prison System shall enjoy the position, rank, salary 
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and privileges of an Assistant Bureau Director; while provincial, city and municipal 
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jail wardens shall enjoy the position, rank, salary and privileges of a Division Head 
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of a Bureau: Provided, That said Superintendents or Wardens shall have the 
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qualifications herein set forth: Provided, further, That incumbents shall have to first 
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satisfy the requirements herein set forth to qualify for the position before they can 
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enjoy the position, rank, salary and privileges herein set forth: Provided, finally, That 
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said incumbents shall continue to discharge their duties as Superintendent or 
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Warden until reassigned, retired, or separated from office, or otherwise replaced by 
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the appointing authority by a qualified official. 
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SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - If any part of this Act is declared 
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unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected 
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thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
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SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - Any provision of law, decree, order, rule or 
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regulation, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or 
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modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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