MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has received a resolution urging a joint congressional investigation into what its authors describe as “systemic human rights violations” and “abusive practices” by the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).
Filed by members of the Makabayan Bloc, the resolution specifically calls on the House Committees on Human Rights and Justice to investigate a pattern of abuses within BuCor facilities, including the New Bilibid Prison and the Correctional Institution for Women.
“The Bureau of Corrections has repeatedly violated the basic human rights of persons deprived of liberty, particularly political prisoners who are already marginalized within the penal system,” House Deputy Minority Leader Rep. Antonio Tinio, one of the solons who filed the resolution, said in a statement.
"Ang mga pang-aabusong ito ay hindi dapat palampasin dahil nakakasama sa dignidad ng mga taong nasa loob ng kulungan,” he added.
(These abuses should not be tolerated because they are harmful to the dignity of people inside prisons.)
The alleged violations include the denial of basic necessities, arbitrary restrictions and due process violations, according to the bloc.
Tinio highlighted the “permanent ban” imposed on July 14, 2025, against Fides Lim, the spokesperson for prisoners’ rights group KAPATID.
He described the ban as “clearly retaliatory,” stating it was an attempt to target her “legitimate humanitarian work.”
“Walang dahilan para ipagbawal ang isang tao na tumutulong sa mga pamilya ng mga bilanggong pulitikal,” Tinio said.
(There is no reason to ban a person who is helping the families of political prisoners.)
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The resolution also cited several specific allegations against BuCor, such as the failure to provide adequate medical care, the use of “degrading strip searches” on female visitors, and the refusal to engage with human rights monitors.
It also noted BuCor’s practice of impounding donated necessities for prisoners, such as water dispensers and rice cookers.
Furthermore, the resolution brought attention to the case of convicted General Jovito Palparan, who was reportedly placed in minimum security while political prisoners are subjected to “harsh conditions.”
The lawmakers also mentioned the preventable deaths of political prisoners Rommel Arquillo and Sonny Tambalque, and BuCor’s refusal to conduct forensic autopsies, which goes against a Department of Justice mandate.
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“We cannot in good conscience approve budgets for agencies that systematically violate human rights and target advocates who expose their abuses,” Tinio said.
“Kailangan nating siguruhin na ang mga institusyon ng gobyerno ay gumagalang sa karapatang pantao at sumusunod sa batas,” he added.
(We need to ensure that government institutions respect human rights and follow the law.)
The resolution was filed on August 6. Aside from Tinio, it was also filed by Rep. Renee Co (Kabataan Partylist).
Philstar.com has reached out to the BuCor for a comment on the matter, but it has yet to reply.