" *
RECEIVED

wre: oF JUL 201:
ThE:

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTAT!
Quezon City
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BillNo,__ 3832

Introduced by HON. ALETA C. SUAREZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

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

“The State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full 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 to human life. It breeds diseases, breaks down discipline and exacerbates tensions. Add dirty
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 18th 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 International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights (UN ICCPR) and the United Nations Convention Against Torture and other Cruel,
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT).

* nttp://www.opcatph.org/prison%20conditions.htm

"1d.


This bill 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 government shall acquire 4 new prison locations, one each for Luzon, Visayas, and
Mindanao plus one located in the National Capital Region. These new prison locations must be
capable of agricultural activities such that prisoners will be trained in farming and animal
husbandry.

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



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

-
House Bill No. 832

Introduced by HON. ALETA C. 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

Be 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 Correctioris,
is hereby mandated to sell the facilities and properties 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 5. 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
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain
valid and subsisting.


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with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved