Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Guezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No_ 4768:

(Introduced by Honorable DANILO E. SUAREZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article Il, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution states that:

“The State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees fuil respect for
human rights.”

Also, Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides that “no one shall
be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”

According to the Balay Foundation, extreme overcrowding is the most punishing aspect
Of doing time in Philippine jails. At the Manila City Jail and other prisons in the National Capital
Region, inmates have to take tums sleeping on the Floor. Herding individuals in cramped spaces
is cruel, inhuman, ill, degrading, and Unjust punishment. Overcrowding is dangerous to health
and lo human life. it breeds diseases, breaks down discipline and exacerbates tensions. Add
Gity tap water, dingy toilets, substandard meals, gang war, Poorly trained guards and prison
Administrators, favoritism, and you have a system built for punishment, not for rehabilitation."

The present situation of our Penal facilities “is a throwback to the 1h century that
treated prisoners as animals unfit to renew themselves and rejoin society.” It is also a
contravention of our treaty obligations such as the Intemational Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights (UN IGCPR) and the United Nations Convention Against Torture and other Cruel,
inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT).

This biti aims to put a reformative instead ‘Of a punitive policy as regards our Prison
facilities, The New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City shall be sold and from the proceeds thereof
the govemment shail acquire 4 new Prison locations, one each for Luzon, Visayas, and
Mindanao plus one located in the Nationai Capital Region. These new Prison locations must be

* http://www. opcatph.org/prisons620conditions.htm


capable of agricultural activites such that prisoners wil be trained in farming and animal
husbandry.

Considering the foregoing reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly requested

Chevy

DANILO E. SUAREZ
Representative
3rd District, Quezon Province



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill 4766
ee
Introduced by Honorable DANILO E. SUAREZ

AN ACT MANDATING THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO SELL THE NEW BILIBID
PRISONS AND FROM THE PROCEEDS THEREOF TO ACQUIRE FOUR NEW PRISON
FACILITIES TO BE LOCATED IN LUZON, VISAYAS, MINDANAO, AND THE NATIONAL
CAPITAL REGION

Se it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Policy Statement. - It is the policy of the State to enact a policy of
Reformation in all prison facilities in the country.

SECTION 2. Short Title. ~ This Act shall be known as the “Reform of Penal Centers Act
of 2011."

SECTION 3. Mandate.- The Department of Justice, through the Bureau of Corrections, is
hereby mandated to sell the facilities and propertes of the New Bilibid Prison, located in
Muntinlupa City, to the highest possible bidder.

SECTION 4. Use of Proceeds. - The proceeds from the sale of the New Bilibid Prison
shall be exclusively used for the purchase of new Penal colony facilities to be located in Luzon,
Visayas, Mindanao, and the National Capital Region, respectively.

SECTION §. Specification of Property. — The Properties to be purchased from the

Proceeds of the sale of the New Bilibid Prisons must be capable of handling agriculture-based
activities.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause. ~ if any provision, or part hereof is held invalid or

uncanstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain
valid and subsisting,


SECTION 7. Repealing Ciause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule of regulation contrary to or inconsistent with,
the provisions of this Act is hereby repeated, modified, or amended accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
Publication in at feast two (2) newspapers af general circulation.

Approved