SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
)
5 .
SENATE
S.rNo.l612
. ■•0nir» V ( i 
.:Jnri)
T 7  
NOV 16 
P ? : 1 3
Introduced by Senator Richard J. Gordon
AN ACT TRANSFERRING THE NEW BILIBID PRISON FROM BARANGAY 
POBLACION, MUNTINLUPA CITY TO THE FORT MAGSAYSAY MILITARY
RESERVATION, NUEVA ECIJA
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The New Bilibid Prison (NBP) is the largest national penitentiary institution in the 
country, accounting for almost sixty percent (60%) of the inmates of the national prison 
system. It houses convicted persons sentenced to life imprisonment, including detainees 
with pending cases, multiple convictions, and sentences of more than 20 years.
The NBP was established in 1940 to accommodate the inmates from the Old Bilibid 
Prison in Manila that was closed. Its initial capacity was 3,000, but the same was gradually 
expanded to 9,300, and then later to 10,082, which has remained to be far from sufficient to 
match the rising number of inmates. At present, the NBP has 24,770 inmates, which 
represents an occupancy rate of two hundred forty six percent (246%) and congestion rate 
of one hundred forty six (146%).
Former officials of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) once described the NBP as 
under a "state of emergency," and the issue of congestion inside the NBP as a "bomb 
waiting to explode." Indeed, the NBP has been suffering from overcrowded and 
unacceptable living conditions, and lack of space and facilities for inmates to live in, let 
alone for the government to conduct rehabilitation programs. It bears stressing that one of 
the fundamental aims in the treatm ent of prisoners should be to encourage personal 
information and social rehabilitation. The need to relocate the facilities creates the 
opportunity for the construction of a new prison with sufficient capacity for the aforesaid 
functions.
International instrum ents recognize human rights and fundamental freedoms of 
prisoners. Under Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, "no one shall be 
subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatm ent or punishment." Under 
paragraph 1 of the Basic Principles for the Treatm ent of Prisoners adopted and proclaimed 
by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 45/111 of 14 December 1990, "[a]ll 
prisoners shall be treated with the respect due to their inherent dignity and value as 
human beings." The same concept is enshrined in the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, 
Section 11, Article II of which provides that the "State values the dignity of every human 
person and guarantees full respect for human rights." Adequate standard of living, 
including adequate accommodation, is a human right.
Foregoing reasons considered, the immediate
f this bill is sought.
RICHARD J. GORDON
Senator


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE] 
REPUBLIC OFTHE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
)
s.Ns„Em 2
lP-;*
*17 
NOV 16 
P 2-^3
Introduced by Senator Richard ]. Gordon
AN ACT TRANSFERRING THE NEW BILIBID PRISON FROM BARANGAY 
POBLACION, MUNTINLUPA CITY TO THE FORT MAGSAYSAY MILITARY 
RESERVATION IN NUEVA ECIJA
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Declaration of Principles and Policies. It is the objective of the State to
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institute a national prison system that is conducive to the reformation and rehabilitation of
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inmates that will bring them back into society as productive citizens of the country. Toward
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this end, there is a need to improve, expand and upgrade the facilities of the New Bilibid
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Prison and to relocate the same to another site in view of the present congestion.
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SEC. 2. Transfer of the New Bilibid Prison. The Department of Justice (DOJ] is hereby
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mandated to carry out the transfer of the New Bilibid Prison from its current site at
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Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila, to the Fort Magsaysay Military
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Reservation in Nueva Ecija.
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The DOJ shall be responsible for the performance and coordination of all tasks and
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activities related to the transfer of the New Bilibid Prison, including the preparation of the
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technical plans for the new site, the procurem ent of works and services, and the
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development and management of the new correctional facility. The DOJ shall perform such
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functions in coordination, as necessary, with the Department of Public Works and
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Highways (DPWH), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Department of
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Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and such other concerned government
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agencies.
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For the foregoing purpose, the DO], DBM, and DPWH are mandated to determine the
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budgetary requirements for the transfer of the New Bilibid Prison facilities to Fort
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Magsaysay Military Reservation, Nueva Ecija. Within six (6) months from the date of
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effectivity of this Act, the DOJ, DBM, and the DPWH shall jointly report to Congress on such
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budgetary requirements.
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SEC. 3. Funding. The initial amount of Fifty Million Pesos (P50,000,000.00) shall be
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charged against the current fiscal year’s appropriations of the DOJ. Thereafter, such sums


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as may be necessary for the full and continued implementation of this Act shall be included 
in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 4. Separability clause. If any provision, or part hereof, is held unconstitutional, 
the remainder of the law or provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and 
subsisting.
SEC. 5. Repealing clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or other 
issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby modified 
accordingly.
SEC. 6. Effectivity of this Act. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the 
Philippines.
Approved,