Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILLNo.__1360

Introduced by:
Rep. Christopher S. Co and Rep. Rodel M. Batocabe

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish a separate detention facility for the detention prisoners,
who are involved in high profile cases by reason of their relative position in the
society, because their case is imbued with public interest, or otherwise involved in
national security, and safety of the general public.

There are concerns about the supposed “special treatment” in correctional facilities
in favor of the rich and influential prisoners. On the other hand, some prisoners
have legitimate and genuine concerns about their health, safety, and security. The
objective of the bill is to create a facility that resolves both concerns where the
urgency of medical attendance may be addressed without having to resort to
hospital arrests since the detention center will be adequately equipped with medical
and health facilities.

Persons who are charged and/or convicted of delinquent acts or crimes must be
segregated from society but there are also rights of an accused that are enshrined in
the Constitution. The government has the power to control and supervision over
prisons, penitentiaries, jails, and detention centers, and the duty to promote public
order and safety, and to provide offenders opportunities for corrections,
rehabilitation, and reformation. The government is therefore duty-bound to provide
a balance between the rights of society, on the one hand, and the rights of the
accused, on the other.

Accordingly, the swift passage of this bill is earnestly s¢

Rep. CHRIST@PHER S. CO Rep. RODEL M. BATOCABE


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bi.no,__ 1360

Introduced by:
Rep. Christopher S. Co and Rep. Rodel M. Batocabe

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A HIGH-PROFILE CRIME.
DETENTION CENTER UNDER THE BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS, PROVIDING
FUNDS THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

Title. This Act shall be known as the “High Profile Detention Center Act

Section 2. Definition of Terms.

(1) “High Profile Cases” shall include cases which have attracted attention
and publicity by reason of the relative position of the parties in society, cases
imbued with public interest, or cases which involve national security and
safety;

(2) “Safekeeping” refers to the act of providing inmates with basic
necessities, ensuring that the inmates are completely incapacitated from
communicating with their outside networks;

(3) “Detention prisoners” are persons accused of non-bailable offenses and
are detained while awaiting investigation or trial.

Section 3.Establishment of the High-Profile Crimes Detention Center. - There

shall be established and maintained a secured, clean, and adequately-equipped

detention center for the custody and safekeeping of detainees. The following shall
be detained in the Center:

(1) An accused in non-bailable offenses except those accused under the
Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002;

(2) An incumbent or former public officials or appointees accused of non-
bailable offenses or high-profile case; or

(3) An accused in high-profile cases as defined in Section 2 of this Act.


Sec. 4, Facilities of the Center- The High-Profile Center shall operate with
standard and uniform design of Prison Facilities, Reformation Facilities, and
Adminsitrative Facilities, through all the operating Prison and Penal farms such as
the following:

(1) Dormitory;
(2) Administrative Building;

(3) Perimeter/Security Fences;

(4) Hospital/Infirmary;

(5) Recreation/Multipurpose Hall;

(6) Training/Lecture Center;

(7) Workshop Facility;

(8) Mess Hall/Kitchen;

(9) Visiting Area;

(10) Water Tank and Pump;

(11) Reception and Diagnostic Center;

(12) Service Personnel Facilities;

(13) Other facilities which may be required by the inmates’ health and
security.

SectionS. Supervision of the Center.- The Bureau of Correction and the
Department of Justice shall exercise supervision and control over the Center, whose
expenses shall be subsidized by the National Government for not more than three
(3) years after the effectivity of this Act.

Section. 6. Organization and Key Positions of the Center. - The Center shall be
headed by a Chief Penal Superintendent with the rank of Superintendent. The
organization shall adhere to the organizational framework currently in place in
other Penal and Prison Farms under the Bureau of Corrections.

Section 7. Appropriation. - The funds required for the implementation of this Act
shall be taken from the budget of the Bureau of Corrections for the current fiscal
year.

Section 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations.- The Department of Justice,
Bureau of Corrections, Civil Service Commission, and the Department of Budget and
Management, within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of the Act, shall
promulgate the rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of the
Act

Section 9. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other
provisions notaffected thereby,

Section 10. 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, whichever comes earlier.

Approved.