Republic of the Philippines.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__ 9027

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
PROVIDING MEDICAL PAROLE TO QUALIFIED PRISONERS AND ESTABLISHING
RULES ON ITS GRANT THEREOF

EXPLANATORY NOTE

As a gesture of mercy and compassion, medical parole is granted to a prisoner
prior to the end of his/her sentence due to medical considerations. It is also considered
in order to save on tax payer's money since maintaining a prisoner has corresponding
expenses. Providing the necessary care for inmates once they become sick cost
taxpayers nearly twice if you compare it with the expenses needed in maintaining
healthy inmates. This is because inmates who become sick end up needing high-level
care in expensive nursing homes.

Based on data from the Board of Pardons and Parole, there is an overwhelming
number of inmate deaths due to medical complications while in custody. For
humanitarian considerations, the grant of medical parole should be allowed since all
persons must be treated with dignity, whether in or out of prison, and irrespective of the
crimes committed

The proposed bill, therefore, seeks to authorize the Board of Pardons and
Parole, under the Department of Justice, to grant qualified prisoners medical parole and
provide the necessary guidelines and requirements to justify its grant


Given the importance of this bill, we, therefore, enjoin our colleagues to ensure
its expeditious passage into law.

DIOSDADO MACARAGAL ARROYO GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO
Second District, Camarines Sur Second District, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3027

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
PROVIDING MEDICAL PAROLE TO QUALIFIED PRISONERS AND ESTABLISHING
RULES ON ITS GRANT THEREOF

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 2013."

SECTION 2. Medical Parole Applicability. — Except for prisoners who are
sentenced to death or reclusion perpetua, the Board of Pardons and Parole may
release a prisoner on medical parole if the prisoner has been examined by a licensed
Government Physician and has received a written diagnosis that includes all of the
following:

1. A determination that the prisoner suffers from an incapacitating physical
condition, disease or syndrome.

2. A description of the physical condition, disease or syndrome and a detailed
description of the prisoner's physical incapacity.

3. A prognosis addressing the likelihood of the prisoner's recovery from the
physical condition, disease or syndrome and the extent of any potential recovery.

SECTION 3. Review of the Bureau of Corrections. — Except for prisoners who
are sentenced to death, life, or reclusion perpetua, the Board of Pardons and Parole


may release a prisoner on medical parole if the prisoner has been examined by a
licensed Government Physician and has received a written diagnosis that includes all of
the following:

1. A determination that the prisoner suffers from an incapacitating physical
condition, disease or syndrome;

2. A description of the physical condition, disease or syndrome and a detailed
description of the prisoner's physical incapacity;

3. A prognosis addressing the likelihood of the prisoner's recovery from the
physical condition, disease or syndrome and the extent of any potential recovery;

SECTION 4. Periodic Examinations. - The Board of Pardons and Parole may
require as a condition of medical parole that the prisoner agree to periodic examinations
and diagnoses at the prisoner's expense. The examining physician shall submit reports
of each examination and diagnosis to the board and the Bureau of Corrections. If the
Board of Pardons and Parole or the Bureau of Corrections determines that the
prisoner's incapacitating physical condition, disease or syndrome has improved to the
extent that the prisoner is likely to pose a possible danger to the public, the board may
revoke medical parole and return the prisoner to the custody of the department.

SECTION 5. Release Credit Limit. - The Board of Pardons and Parole shall not
grant medical parole sooner than one year before the prisoner's parole or earned
release credit date unless, based on medical information furnished to it, the Board
determines that the physical condition of the prisoner is so serious that the prisoner
would not be reasonably expected to live for more than one year.

SECTION 6. Request. - The Board of Pardons and Parole, The Bureau of
Corrections, a prisoner or a prisoner's parent, grandparent, child or sibling may request
medical parole by submitting the request in writing to the director of the Bureau of
Corrections.

SECTION 7. Eligibility. - A prisoner is eligible for medical parole only if both of
the following apply;

1. The board determines, based on the prisoner's medical condition and the
written diagnosis, that the prisoner does not constitute a threat to public safety
and is not likely to commit an offense while on medical parole; and

2. The board prepares a medical parole plan that ensures appropriate
supervision and placement of the prisoner:

SECTION 8. Additional Requirement. — Notwithstanding any other law, a prisoner
who has served ten consecutive years or more in prison shall not be paroled pursuant
to this section until the Board first receives a report as to the prisoner's mental condition


and ability to adjust to life outside the prison from a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist
of the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH).

SECTION 9. Non-Disqualification. — A grant or denial of medical parole does not
affect a prisoner's eligibility for non-medical parole.

SECTION 10. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part thereof, is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise
affected shall remain valid and subsisting

SECTION 11. 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 12. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,