FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1321 
.. , 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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The Constitution under Article II, 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 of conviction so specifies. 
Approval of this bill is therefore earnestly requested. 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1321 . 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
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AN ACT 
INSTITUTING PRISON REFORMS, IMPOSING A PENALTY FOR 
VIOLATIONS THEREOF, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR 
. 
OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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 prisoner 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 th is 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 taken 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, 
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