Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _3800

Introduced by Rep. Winston “Winnie”Castelo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bureau of Corrections of the Department of Justice is axiomatically, a highly
politicized office. Perhaps, it is much like the Armed Forces of the Philippines of the
Department of the National Defense.

‘And a good mechanism to insulate the agency or institution from partisan politics is
perhaps, the granting of a fixed six-year term in office for the Head of the Bureau of
Corrections (BuCor) upon appointment.

This serves also as the single best strategy to professionalize a bureau which in a
performance Audit Report of 2004 shows an expansion of its correctional jurisdiction, a
significant change in functions that imperils it in the performance of its custodial and
rehabilitation functions, and recruitment irreverent of qualification standards.

The increase alone of inmates by 15,250 (as of CY 2004) leaves the rehabilitation
program for inmates inadequate let alone the conditions of the dormitories, hospital
equipment and facilities including custodial personnel as doubly aggravating.

Granting a fresh mandate of six-year term of office for one who will be appointed as the
Head of the Bureau insures the commencement and gestation of highly relevant plans,
programs and projects that could be implemented efficiently and economically.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

800

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Rep. Winston “Winnie”Castelo

AN ACT
PRESCRIBING A FIXED TERM OF SIX (6) YEARS FOR THE DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU
OF CORRECTIONS WITHOUT REAPPOINTMENT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES:

Be it enacted in the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of the
Philippines in Congress assembled’

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is hereby declared the policy of the State
that appointments in the civil service shall be made according to merit and fitness and
the professionalism in key government bureaus enjoys highest precedence in order to
perform the Constitutional mandate of the Bureau of Corrections.

SEC. 2. Term of Office of the Director, Bureau of Corrections. — The Director,
Bureau of Corrections shall have a fixed term of six (6) years. The term shall
commence on the date of appointment by the President, regardless of the date of
confirmation by the Commission on Appointments: Provided, that no reappointment of
term shall be allowed.

When the officer appointed to the position of Director, Bureau of Corrections
reaches the compulsory retirement age before the end of six (6) year term, the statutory
compulsory retirement of the Director shall be deferred until the completion of the
prescribed six-year term.

SEC. 3. Rules and Regulations. — The Secretary of the Department of Justice
shall formulate the rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this
Act.

SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, decrees, rules or
regulations and other issuances, or parts thereof not consistent herewith are hereby
repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect upon its publication in the Official
Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,