TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 154
25
!L-7 A 9:01
Introduced by Senator Erwin Tulfo
AN ACT
PROVIDING MEDICAL PAROLE FOR ELDERLY PERSONS 
DEPRIVED OF LIBERTY WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM 
TERMINAL OR SEVERE MEDICAL CONDITIONS, 
PROVIDING GUIDELINES FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Sections 11, Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides that the 
state values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full 
respect for human rights.
For elderly persons deprived of liberty (PDL) with serious 
medical conditions, the circumstances in our jails are not ideal. The 
rehabilitative and reformative objective of incarceration is undermined 
if they are left in the state of pain. Elderly PDFs deserve a chance to 
return to society and enjoy the remains of their lives.
This bill seeks to allow the Board of Pardons and Parole to grant 
medical parole to qualified elderly PDFs who are suffering from 
terminal illness or severe medical conditions.


In view of the foregoing, the passage of the measure is earnestly 
sought.
IN TULFO


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE _ 
Senate Bill No. ^54
2b
-7 A9:01
Introduced by Senator Erwin Tulfo
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AN ACT
PROVIDING MEDICAL PAROLE FOR ELDERLY PERSONS 
DEPRIVED OF LIBERTY WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM 
TERMINAL OR SEVERE MEDICAL CONDITIONS, 
PROVIDING GUIDELINES FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
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 “Medical 
Parole Act of 2025.”
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy 
of the State to uphold the dignity of every human person and guarantee 
full respect for human rights, including those of persons deprived of 
liberty who are aged and medically vulnerable.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
(a) Medical Parole refers to the conditional release of a person 
deprived of liberty who meets the criteria under this Act, due to old age 
and terminal or severe medical conditions, allowing them to serve the 
remainder of their sentence outside of prison under specific terms.


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(b) Person Deprived of Liberty (PDL) refers to a person, 70 years 
old and above, who is confined in a correctional facility serving 
sentence by reason of a final judgment of conviction;
(c) Qualified Professional refers to a licensed physician 
accredited by the Department of Health (DOH), Bureau of Corrections 
(BuCor), or the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and 
authorized to conduct medical assessments for parole purposes;
(d) Severe Medical Condition refers to any physical or mental 
illness, disease, or impairment that substantially diminishes the PDL s 
capacity to function independently and requires continuous care or 
support; and
(e) Terminal Illness refers to a prognosis of having a life 
expectancy of one (1) year or less, due to an incurable illness, disease, 
or condition.
SEC. 4. Grant of Medical Parole. - The Board of Pardons and 
Parole (BPP) may, upon its own initiative or upon application as 
provided in this Act, grant medical parole to an elderly PDL suffering 
from any terminal illness or severe medical condition as certified by at 
least two (2) independent qualified medical professionals, one of whom 
shall be a government physician recognized by the DOH.
SEC. 5. Medical Parole Application. - Application for medical 
parole shall be filed by the PDLs or their authorized representatives 
with the BPP who shall evaluate the application within thirty (30) days 
from receipt of complete documentation, including the required 
medical certifications.
SEC. 6. Notice and Hearing . - Upon receipt of the application 
for medical parole, the BPP shall set them for hearing, notice of which 
shall be published on their official website and shall be posted in 
conspicuous places within the city or municipality where the concerned 
PDL is serving sentence.


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SEC. 7. Oppositions to the Application of Medical Parole. - Any 
person may challenge, in writing, any application for medical parole, 
on the following grounds:
(a) The illness, medical condition, or incapacity of the PDL does 
not exist or its severity does not qualify the PDL for medical parole;
(b) The release of PDL will constitute a threat to public safety; or
(c) The PDL is likely to commit an offense while on medical 
parole.
SEC. 8. Deferment of Medical Parole. - The release of a PDL on 
medical parole shall be deferred until the danger ceases whenever there 
is a clear and convincing evidence that release on medical parole will 
endanger:
(a) PDL’s own life and those of his or her relatives; or
(b) The life, safety and well-being of the victim, his or her 
relatives, witnesses and the community.
SEC. 9. Denial of Application for Medical Parole. - In case of 
denial, the officer of BPP who rendered the decision shall send a formal 
notice to the PDL applicant or its authorized representative, within the 
prescribed period under Section 5 of this Act. Any denial of application 
for medical parole shall be fully explained in writing, stating the 
grounds upon which the denial is based.
The PDL or his or her authorized representative may submit re­
application for medical parole with the BPP within sixty (60) days from 
receipt of decision denying the application.
SEC. 10. Role of Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and the Bureau 
of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) . — BuCor and BJMP shall 
identify PDLs who are eligible for medical parole under this Act and


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shall regularly submit updated lists of qualified PDLs to the BPP and 
the Department of Justice (DOJ) to facilitate review.
SEC. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety 
(90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOJ, in consultation with 
the DOH, BPP, BuCor, BJMP, and relevant stakeholders shall 
formulate and promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to 
implement the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 12. Separability Clause. - Should any provision or part of 
this Act be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions 
and parts hereof, insofar as they are separable from the invalid ones, 
shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 13. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, issuances, 
rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this 
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,