EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
)
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SENATE S.B. No. 983
T9 AUG 28 P4^)3
RECEIV:.DBY;
Introduced by Senator Richard J. Gordon
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A SEPARATE FACILITY FOR PRISONERS CONVICTED OF
HEINOUS CRIMES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
There is a type of crime that is above all other crimes in terms of viciousness 
and the extent of moral depravity attached to it, we call it Heinous Crimes. Under 
Republic Act No. 7659, Heinous Crimes are described as heinous for being grievous, 
odious and hateful offenses and which, by reason of their inherent or manifest 
wickedness, viciousness, atrocity and perversity are repugnant and outrageous to the 
common standards and norms of decency and morality in a just, civilized and ordered 
society.
Heinous Crimes tickled the imagination of the general public, inciting public 
opinion and discussion on the motivations and psychology of the perpetrator that 
enabled him to perform an act so contumacious to law and society's moral code that 
it never failed to trigger public's rage against the act and its perpetrator.
The purpose of this bill is to protect the public. Prisoners who are convicted of 
heinous crimes should be serving their sentence separately from the general 
population of prisoners. These prisoners should be reformed separately to ensure that 
those convicted of heinous crimes will not influence the general population of 
prisoners. This Heinous Crimes Penitentiary will house the most dangerous, vicious, 
and violent criminals. Separating them from the public will ensure their personal 
safety, the safety of other prisoners, and safety of the guards, and the safety of the 
public. This facility will ensure the control of these criminals and give the general public 
a sense of security and a peace of mind that they are away^f^om those who have 
proven themselves depraved of basic moral a p t i t u d e t o  live in a peaceful 
community.
trCHARtrJTGORDON
Senator


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE S.B. No. 
9 8 3
ol ll;r Su cretnrp
•19 AUG 28 P4 ;03
RECEiVtO BV'. _
Introduced by Senator Richard J. Gordon
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A SEPARATE FACILITY FOR PRISONERS CONVICTED OF
HEINOUS CRIMES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Phiiippines in 
Congress assemble
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. -  This act shall be known as "Heinous Crimes Penitentiary
2 
Act of 2019"
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SEC. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  Section 5 of Article II states that "[t]he maintenance
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of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and the promotion of
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the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings
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of democracy." Section 11 of Article II states that "[t]he State values the dignity of
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every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights."
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SEC. 3. Definition o f Terms. -
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a.) Heinous Crimes- are crimes described as heinous for being grievous, odious and
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hateful offenses and which, by reason of their inherent or manifest wickedness,
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viciousness, atrocity and perversity are repugnant and outrageous to the common
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standards and norms of decency and morality in a just, civilized and ordered society.
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b.) High-level Offenders -  Offenders convicted of Heinous Crimes shall be
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considered as High-level Offenders.
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c.) Inm ates -  Offenders convicted by the courts to serve sentences of three years
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or more and kept at the prison facilities of the Bureau of Corrections.
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d.) Uninhabited place -  One where there are no houses at all, a place at a
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considerable distance from town, or where houses are scattered at a great distance
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from each other.


1 
SEC. 4. Transfer o f Heinous Crimes Offenders to the Heinous Crimes Penitentiary. -
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There shall be established and maintained a secured, clean and sanitary penitentiary
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for the custody and safekeeping of offenders serving their sentence for Heinous
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Crimes kept at the prison facilities of the Bureau of Corrections, which shall be kept
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and maintained in an uninhabited place, away from the general population and other
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prisoners not convicted of a Heinous Crime.
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The transfer of High-Level Offenders shall be made within a period of 30 days from
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the completion of the construction of the Heinous Crimes Penitentiary.
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SEC. 5. Location o f the Maximum Penai Institution. -  The Maximum Penal Institution
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shall be built in a suitable and uninhabited land to be determined by the Secretary of
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Justice. The Maximum Penal Institution shall be located in a separate and uninhabited
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place ensuring that there is no unwarranted contact or communication with those
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outside of the penal institution, preferably in Fort Ramon Magsaysay.
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SEC. 6. Coverage. -  This Act shall apply to all high level heinous crimes offenders
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kept at the prison facilities of the Bureau of Corrections and the Bureau of Jail
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Management and Penology.
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SEC. 8. Conduct o f Inspection. -  An internal inspection, which is conducted by the
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prison administration, and an external inspection, which is conducted by the
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Department of Justice, shall be conducted on a regular basis to ensure that the
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institution is administered in accordance with existing laws and regulations and to
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bring about the attainment of the objectives of the penal system.
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SEC. 9. Conduct of Random Drug Testing. -  There shall be conducted a regular
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random drug testing among intimates in the Heinous Crimes Penitentiary. The random
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drug testing shall be done by laboratories accredited and monitored by the
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Department of Health and the Dangerous Drugs Board.
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SEC. 10. Funding Source. -  The funds required for the implementation of this Act
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shall be taken from the budget of the Department of Justice for the current fiscal year.
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Thereafter, such amounts as may be necessary to implement this Act shall be included
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in the annual General Appropriations Act.
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SEC. 11. Separabiiity Cause. -  If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
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unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall
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remain in force and effect.
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SEC. 12. Repealing Cause. -  All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or portions
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thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed,
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amended or modified accordingly.
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SEC. 13. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the
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completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
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circulation in the Philippines.
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Approved,