THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution under Article 11, Section r declares that the maintenance of peace and 
order, the protection of life, liberty and property, and the promotion of the general welfare are 
essential for the enjoyment by all the people of blessings of democracy. The fulfillment of these 
basics depend to a large extend on efficient and effective law enforcement, administration of 
justice and rehabilitation of offenders. 
In view thereof, this bill seeks to institute prison, reforms and impose penalties for 
violations thereof. 
Owing to the laxity in our correctional system, the bill specifies prohibited acts, 
including, among others, the transfer of prisoners without any court order, the granting of 
privileged treatment to certain prisoners, and the unauthorized “employment” of prisoners. 
The bill also provides for other corrective measures such as periodic and systematic 
inventory of all prisoners and the provision for prison labor only insofar as the judgment o f  
conviction so specifies. 
Approval of this bill is therefore earnestly requested. 
MANUEL B. VI~LAR, JR. 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
JUM 30 
~~~~~~ 
SENATE 
S. No. 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR JR. 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTING PRISON REFORMS, IMPOSING A PENALTY FOR 
VIOLATIONS THEREOF, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it ennctecl by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
usseiizhled: 
SECTION 1. Prohibition/Penalty. The following acts are hereby prohibited: 
a. The transfer of convicted prisoners without any court order from the place of 
confinement specified in the judgment of conviction; 
b. Affording privileged treatment to prisoners such as provision for amenities different 
from that given to other prisoners; 
c. Solitary confinement or detention or holding a prisoner incommunicado; 
d. Releasing a prisoner to the custody of any person who is not authorized by a court of 
law; 
e. Subjecting a prisoqer to labor not authorized in a judgment of a court of law; 
f. Failure to prevent the proliferation of drugs or other vices within the prison; 
g. Failure by the accountable officer to account for a prisoner or to make an inventory of 
prisoners within his jurisdiction. 
The penalty Prision Mayor shall be imposed for violation of this Section together with 
the accessory penalty of perpetual absolute disqualification for a public officer or employee. 
SECTION 2. Other Corrective Measures: 
a. A periodic and systematic inventory of all prisoners shall be made by the Department 
of Justice (DOJ). Such system shall be implemented within sic (6) months from the effectivity of 
this Act; 
b. The Department of Justice (DOJ) shall make provisions for prison labor in conjunction 
with the provision of this Act; 


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c. Prison labor shall be allowed only where such is specified in the judgment of 
conviction; and 
d. Rehabilitation colonies shall be established by the Department of Justice (DOJ). 
Prisoners eligible for rehabilitation shall be determined in accordance with the rules and 
regulations of the Department of Justice (DOJ): Provided, however, That prisoners penalized by 
Prision Mayor to Reclusion Perpetua shall not be eligible for confinement or transfer to 
rehabilitation colonies. 
SECTION 3. Appropriations. Funds to be used for the implementation of this Act shall 
be talcen from the appropriations of the Department of Justice as reflected in the annual General 
Appropriation Act. 
SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Department of Justice (DOJ) 
shall issue and publish the rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, rules or regulations or parts thereof, 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed and modified accordingly. 
SECTION 6. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in Filipino and English in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,