EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC } 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
}
First Regular Session 
}
tO ffiff of Il)i' rr . i , i <
S E N A T E  
Senate Bill No. 247
'19 JUL-8 PI 59
Introdueed by SENATOR LACSON
AN ACT
PENALIZING ANY PERSON PROVIDING OR POSSESSING 
CONTRABAND AND THOSE WHO SHALL AID OR ABET THE 
INTRODUCTION OF THE SAME INSIDE ANY PRISON FACILITY 
ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, PROVIDING 
PENALTIES THEREFORE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Despite existing regulations prohibiting the trade and possession of 
contrabands in our different correctional facilities, the menacing activity of 
contraband hoarding and the seeming ineptitude of prison authorities to put an end 
to this activity still plague our penal system.
The series of raids conducted by the Department of Justice together with 
the agents of the National Bureau of Investigation and the officers of the Bureau of 
Corrections (BuCor), the Philippine National Police, and the Philippine Drug 
Enforcement Agency proved that the New Bilibid Prison has become a hub of 
continuing criminality. In December 2014, authorities uncovered a cache of high- 
powered firearms and cash in the felons’ quarters. Convicts, particularly high- 
profile drug dealers, also enjoy some amenities of private individuals like air- 
conditioned rooms with TV sets, Wi-Fi, refrigerators, Jacuzzis and sauna, hi-tech 
entertainment systems, concert equipment, aquariums, bar and kitchen, and back­
up power generators. They also sported pricey watches, had wads of cash in their 
pockets, as if they were living in plush subdivisions and not in the national 
penitentiary.
Another publicized raid in November of 2015 revealed similar results 
wherein guns, bladed weapons, luxury items, and substantial amounts of money 
were found in the possession of inmates. The most recent raid conducted by the 
authorities last May still proved that contrabands are still rampant inside our 
national penitentiary. It would then seem that the so-called “OplanGalugad” of the 
BuCor had not prevented the proliferation of these contraband items inside our 
prisons.
The supposed heavy constraints and policing, stringent inspection, and 
eminent police presence inside the national penitentiary proved not to deter the


temerity and boldness of inmates in hoarding, using and generating lots of money 
in contrabands.
The seeming continued proliferation of contraband in prison is an appalling 
show of contempt for our justice system, whose main purpose is to reform and 
rehabilitate inmates for their eventual return to society. A convicted criminal 
resists reformation when he is still exposed to the very objects that had caused his 
incarceration. Indeed, it would be difficult for an inmate to feel some remorse 
considering that he still has the comforts of home even when he is behind bars.
This proposal, patterned after Title 18, Part I Chapter 87 of the U.S. Code 
Series of 1791, aims to put a stop to the shenanigans happening inside our prison 
facility by penalizing those who would provide, assist, aid or abet in the 
introduetion of any prohibited object or contraband inside a prison facility, along 
with the inmate who makes, possesses or obtains or attempts to make or obtain the 
same inside the prison facility; and imposing a stiff penalty for its commission.
A stiff penalty is required in this circumstance in order to instill fear and be 
an effective deterrence to those contemplating of doing this crime in the future. 
More importantly, the said penalty applies as well to government officials or 
employees who cooperate or co-opt with the inmate or other private persons 
involved therein.
Not only will the government officials and employees suffer the same 
penalty, they shall likewise suffer the additional punishment of perpetual absolute 
disqualification from holding a public office and forfeiture of all retirement 
benefits and all accrued leave credits. Thus, these people will have to rethink of 
getting involved in the said crime or desist from doing it.
It is for this purpose that the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
PANE
. LACSON 
nator


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC } 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
}
First Regular Session 
}
S E N A T E  
Senate Bill No. _ S 4 7
tPffitr ot tlir S 
' I'.i'ij'
*19 JUL-8 P159
R tC E IV .D  f •
Introduced by SENATOR LACSON
AN ACT
PENALIZING ANY PERSON PROVIDING OR POSSESSING CONTRABAND 
AND THOSE WHO SHALL AID OR ABET THE INTRODUCTION OF THE 
SAME INSIDE ANY PRISON FACILITY ADMINISTERED BY THE 
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFORE AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the ‘‘Anti-Contraband in Prison
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Act of 2019”.
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. The maintenance of peace and order, the
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protection of life, liberty and property, and the promotion of the general welfare are
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essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy. 
To
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implement this policy, the State is mandated to enact laws aimed at achieving a just and
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orderly society governed by rules and regulations made applicable to all and not just to a
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chosen few. Recent inspections in our penal facilities including the New Bilibid Prisons
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show that some inmates incarcerated in our penal institutions continue to enjoy the
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luxuries they were accustomed to while they were outside the prison compound. To
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remedy this seeming inequity and to truly implement the thrust of one of the five pillars
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of our justice system, a mechanism for the effective implementation of the goal of the
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said pillars i.e., refonnation, should be instituted. Towards this end, the State shall strictly
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monitor and regulate the ingress/egress of any person in any prison facility and provide
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the appropriate sanction to be imposed on any person found to be violating the rules set
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forth herein.
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SECTIONS. Definition of Terms. As used in this section:
(1) '‘"Person" shall refer to natural persons and shall include private individuals as 
well as government/public official or employee in cahoots with the prisoner;
(2) “Prison" means a correctional, detention or penal facility or any prison, 
institution, or facility under the control and supervision of the Department of 
Justice (DOJ) in which persons are held in custody for violation of law or 
commission of a felony;
(3) “Firearms ” “Ammunition ” and “Explosive or Incendiary Device ” shall have 
the same meaning as that provided for in accordance with Republic Act 10591, 
otherwise known as the 
“Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition 
Regulations Act’’ and Section 3 of Presidential Decree 1866 as amended by 
Republic Acts 8294 and 9516;
(4) ""Dangerous Drugs" shall have the same meaning as that provided for in 
Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the “Comprehensive Dangerous 
Drugs Act of 2002” and all other illegal substances prohibited therein 
including but not limited to Ecstasy, Methamphetamine Hydrochloride or 
Shabu and other drugs producing similar effects;
(5) ""Prohibited Object or Contraband” means -
(A) a firearm, incendiary device or dangerous drugs as defined herein;
(B) ammunition, weapon or an object that is designed or intended to be used 
as a weapon or to facilitate the detained persons escape from prison;
(C) any alcoholic or intoxicating beverage;
(D) any money whether Philippine or Foreign denominated currency;
(E) a cell phone, laptop computer, accessories thereof, or any device used for 
purposes of communicating with the outside world for commercial 
purposes including signal jammers to prevent the authorities from 
determining their use of the aforementioned devices;


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(F) luxury items such as but not limited to electronic devices, jewelry or any 
other objects of such nature that should otherwise not be found inside the 
penal institution; and
(G) any other object that threatens the order, discipline, or security of a prison, 
or the life, health, or safety of an individual detained therein.
SECTION 4. Registration Requirement. All persons desiring to visit his/her 
relative detained in any prison facility shall, before or during the actual visit, prepare and 
accomplish before any prison official in charge of manning the entrance of the said 
facility a registration form which shall contain the following information;
(a) Full name and complete address of the visitor who shall be accompanied by 
any of the following documents, to wit:
1. A Valid Identification Card with photograph;
2. A Valid Passport;
3. Driver’s License;
4. Social Security System Identification Card;
5. Company Identification Card;
6. Government Service Insurance System identification card;
7. Voter’s Identification Card;
8. Senior’s Citizen Card;
9. School Identification Card; or
10. National Identification Card
(b) His/her relationship to the person to be visited;
(c) The things or objects he/she is bringing to the person to be visited; and
(d) Unless related to the detained person or the latter’s counsel of record, the 
purpose of said visit.
SECTION 5. Prohibited Acts. Any person who commits any of the following 
prohibited acts shall be punished in accordance with the preceding section -


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(A) In violation of any law or any rules and regulations issued in relation thereto 
or any rules and regulations implemented by prison authorities of the penal 
facility, provides to an inmate of a prison any prohibited objects or 
contraband, or attempts to do so; or
(B) Assists, aids or abets in the procurement by an inmate of the prohibited objects 
or contraband defined herein; or
(C) Being an inmate of a prison makes, possesses or obtains, or attempts to make 
or obtain a prohibited object or contraband
SECTION 6. Penal Provisions, (a) For Failure to Comply with the Registration 
Requirement: Any person who shall commit a violation of Sec. 4 hereof shall suffer the 
penalty of imprisonment ranging from one (1) day to five (5) days or a fine of One 
Thousand Pesos (PI,000);
(b) For violation of Sec 5 (A). The penalty of imprisonment ranging fi-om Twenty 
Years and One Day (20 years, 1 day) to Forty Years (40 years) and a fine of Ten Million 
Pesos (PI0,000,000.00) if the prohibited object or contraband involved is covered by 
Section 3 (5)(a)(b).
If the prohibited object or contraband involved is other than the abovementioned, 
the penalty shall be six years and one day (6 years, 1 day) to twelve years (12 years) and 
a fine of one million pesos (PI,000,000.00). 
These penalties shall be served 
consecutively after the service of sentence imposed by the court on the possession of the 
prohibited object or contraband.
(c) For violation of Sec 5 (B). The penalty of imprisonment ranging from Twelve 
Years and One Day (12 years, 1 day) to Twenty Years (20 years) and a fine of Five 
Million Pesos (P5,000,000.00) if the prohibited object or contraband is covered by Sec 
3(5)(a)(b). Otherwise, the penalty shall be six years and one day (6 years, 1 day) to 
twelve years (12 years) and a fine of one million pesos (PI,000,000.00).
(d) For violation of Sec 5 (C). The penalty of imprisonment ranging from Twenty 
Years and One Day (20 years, 1 day) to Forty Years (40 years) and a fine of Ten Million


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Pesos (PI0,000,000.00) if the prohibited object or contraband is covered by Sec 
3(5)(a)(b). Otherwise, the penalty shall be six years and one day (6 years, 1 day) to 
twelve years (12 years) and a fine of one million pesos (PI,000,000.00) The said penalty 
shall be in addition to the original penalty to which the inmate was sentenced to serve.
If the offender is a public official or employee, he shall, in addition to the 
penalties herein provided, suffer the additional penalty of absolute perpetual 
disqualification from holding public office and the forfeiture of all his retirement benefits 
and accrued leave credits.
SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within sixty (60) days from 
the approval of this Act, the DOJ in coordination with the Department of Interior and 
Local Government (DILG), the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and 
the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to 
implement its provisions.
SECTION 8. Separability Clause, - If, for any reason, any provision or section 
of this Act shall be held to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions or sections 
hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
SECTION 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the 
completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspaper of 
general circulation.
Adopted,