Senate to probe special privileges to rich inmates

MANILA, Philippines -  The Senate Blue Ribbon committee is set to investigate the alleged granting of privileges to some rich or influential inmates by prison officials.

Blue Ribbon committee chairman Sen. Teofisto Guingona III and Sen. Panfilo Lacson filed a joint resolution calling for an inquiry over irregularities in the penal system.

The two senators wanted to investigate the reports concerning the issues that led to the resignation of Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director Ernesto Diokno and the probe made by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“The recent issues and scandals of graft and corruption haunting the Philippine prison system are an insult to the rule of law and should cause alarm not only to the executive department but to other constituent units of the state as well,” Guingona and Lacson stated in the resolution.

They cited the various complaints alleging that some moneyed convicts were allowed perks and special privileges by prison officials.

Diokno was forced to resign following the investigation made by the DOJ over allegations of incompetence and violation in the implementation of prison rules, particularly in the case of former Batangas governor Jose Antonio Leviste.– Marvin Sy, Edu Punay