, ' 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B.No. 686 
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Introduced by Senator LOREN LEGARDA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to professionalize the practice of prison management and 
set the qualifications of superintendents and wardens of prisons all over the 
country to ensure that the officials heading our penal .system are duly capable I 
and competent in performing their responsibilities. 
Overcrowdedness has led to epidemics and other untoward incidents 
such as jailbreaks and fights. Due to the difficult conditions and situations the 
officials of these penal facilities face on a daily basis, there is a clear need to 
ensure that the heads of the penal facilities are properly educated, trained and 
experienced in handling the various and complex circumstances of the country's 
penitentiary system. 
This measure requires that superintendents of the country's national 
prison system should hold a bachelor's degree in Law, preferably licensed 
practitioners, or have a bachelor's degree in Public Administration, and have 
educational training in Psychology or Sociology, While the wardens of provincial, 
city or municipal jails must have a bachelor's degree in Law, Public 
Administration, Psychology or its equivalent with an educational background in 
Behavioral Science or Social Sciences. Nominees and incumbent superintendents 
and wardens are obliged to attend courses and seminars on Jail Management and 
Corrections Administration. Serving officials need to pass these said courses in 
order to retain their positions. 
Furthermore, this bill ensures that superintendents and wardens enjoy the 
benefits and privileges of their rank and position provided they satisfy the 
requirements stated in this Act. The incumbents shall continue to perform the 
roles and responsibilities of their respective rank and pOSition until their 
reassignment, retirement, separation from office our replacement by the 
appointing authority by a qualified official. 
The country's penal system and the officials that head the organization 
play significant roles in the maintenance of justice and safety in our country. To 
guarantee that this integral agency and its officials continue to appropriately 
carry out their functions, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
~-~ 
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LO 
Ec-ARDA 
Senator 


, . 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B.No.~86 
':--f 
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Introduced by Senator LOREN LEGARDA 
AN ACT 
TO PROFESSIONALIZE THE PRACTICE OF PRISON MANAGEMENT 
SETTING QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE NATIONAL 
PRISON SYSTEM AND OF WARDENS OF PROVINCIAL, CITY OR 
MUNICIPAL JAILS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Professionalization of 
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Prison Management Act." 
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SEC. 2. Qualifications of Superintendents of Prisons in the National Prison 
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System. - All Superintendents of Prisons or Colonies or Prison Farms of the National 
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Prison System shall have the following qualifications at the time of thrir 
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appointment: 
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a. Holder of a Bachelor's Degree in Law, preferably a member of the Philippine 
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Bar; or a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, or its equivalent with at 
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least twelve (12) units in Psychology or Sociology; 
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b. Training and experience of at least five (5) years in corrections and prison 
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management; and 
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c. Of good moral character with a reputation in the community for probity and 
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fair-mindedness and who has never been convicted of a criminal offense nor 
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charged administratively for an act involving moral turpitude. 
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SEC. 3. Qualifications of Wardens of Provincial, City or Municipal Jails. -. 
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All wardens of Provincial, City or Municipal Jails shall have the following 
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qualifications: 
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a. Holder of a Bachelor's Degree in Law, Public Administration, Psychology or 
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its equivalent, with at least twelve (12) units in Behavioral Sciences, Sociology 
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or Psychology; 
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b. Training and experience of at least three (3) years in corrections and prison 
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management; and 
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c. Of good moral character with a reputation in the community for probity and 
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fair-mindedness and who has never been convicted of a criminal offense nor 
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charged administratively for an act involving moral turpitude. 
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SEC. 4. Jail Management and Corrections Administration Training. - The 
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Integrated National Police and/or the National Police Academy shall conduct 
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courses and seminars on jail management and corrections administration for 
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nominees and incumbents of Prison Superintendent or Jail Warden positions. 
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Incumbent superintendents and wardens shall be required to pass courses for jail 
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management and corrections administration in order to retain their positions. 
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SEC. 5. Equivalence of Position, Rank, Salary and Privileges. -
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Superintendents of the National Prison System shall enjoy the position, rank, salary 
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and privileges of an Assistant Bureau Director; while provincial, city and municipal 
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jail wardens shall enjoy the position, rank, salary and privileges of a Division Head 
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of a Bureau: Provided, That said Superintendents or Wardens shall have the 
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qualifications herein set forth: Provided, further, That incumbents shall have to first 
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satisfy the requirements herein set forth to qualify for the position before they can 
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enjoy the position, rank, salary and privileges herein set forth: Provided, finally, That 
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said incumbents shall continue to discharge their duties as Superintendent or 
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Warden until reassigned, retired, or separated from office, or otherwise replaced,by 
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the appointing authority by a qualified official. 
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SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - If any part of this Act is declared 
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unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected 
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thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
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SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - Any provision of law, decree, order, rule or 
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regulation, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or 
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modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 8. EffectiVity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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