Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO._958

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT
OF A DIGITAL PRISON RECORDS SYSTEM BY THE BUREAU OF
CORRECTIONS AND THE BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Justice delayed is justice denied. However, in many cases, the delay doesn’t come from
the courtroom, but from paperwork.

This bill proposes a bold but necessary shift: the full digitalization of prison records.
Through a unified, secure digital system operated by the Bureau of Corrections and the BIMP,
the government can transform how data about detainees is stored, accessed, and transferred.

The digitalization of prison records is a significant step towards expediting the
administration of justice, enabling more efficient case management, and ensuring transparency

within detention and correctional facilities.

The goal is simple but powerful. Make it easy for courts to access records. Make it
faster for legal aid to review files. Make it harder for injustice to hide behind bureaucratic lag.


This system will promote transparency. Improve coordination between agencies.
Ensure fair treatment of all individuals in custody. And ultimately, help build a justice system

that is not only swift, but just.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

RM

CRISPIN DIEGO “PING” D. REMULLA


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _958

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT
OF A DIGITAL PRISON RECORDS SYSTEM BY THE BUREAU OF
CORRECTIONS AND THE BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Digital Prison Records
Modernization Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy.
transparency, and accuracy in the administré

the policy of the State to promote efficiency,

ion of justice. By harnessing technology. the

government aims to improve the management of information and records concerning persons
deprived of liberty.

SEC. 3. Establishment of the Digital Prison Records System. - ‘The Bureau of
Corrections (BuCor) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) shall establish
a computerized system to be known as the “Digital Prison Records System” (System) designed
to store, manage and share information related to persons deprived of liberty, their cases,
relevant court records and other related matters. Pursuant to this, the BuCor and the BJMP shall
undertake the digitalization and migration to the System of their paper-based documents and
records concerning persons deprived of liberty under their respective custody.

SEC. 4. Accessibility and Integration. - The System shall be accessible to law
enforcement agencies and the courts through their duly authorized officers and agents and to
the legal counsel of the persons deprived of liberty subject to the provisions of Republic Act


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No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act. As far as practicable, the System shall be integrated to the

existing records management system of law enforcement agencies as well as the courts upon
the assent of the Supreme Court.

SEC. 5. Data Security and Privacy. - The System shall be kept secure and free from
interference and unauthorized access and for this purpose it shall be equipped with security
measures to protect the integrity and confidentiality of the stored information and data.
Personal and sensitive information shall be processed and shared in compliance with existing
data protection laws and regulations.

SEC. 6. Training and Capacity Building. - The BuCor and the BJMP shall conduct
regular training programs to equip authorized personnel with the skills and knowledge required
for the efficient utilization of the System.

SEC. 7. Inter-Agency Oversight Committee. — An inter-agency oversight committee
composed of representatives from the Department of Justice, Department of Interior and Local
Government, Supreme Court, Department of Information and Communications Technology,
and Commission on Human Rights shall be established to monitor the implementation of this
Act, ensure compliance with legal standards, and provide policy recommendations.

SEC. 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to cover the initial implementation
of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriation of the BuCor and the BJMP.
‘Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be included
in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The BuCor and the BJMP, in
coordination with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, National
Privacy Commission and other relevant agencies, shall promulgate the necessary rules and
regulations to properly and efficiently implement this Act within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. ~ If any part, section or provision of this Act is held
invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and
effect.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts
thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 12. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,