The Department of Justice has ordered a review of the guidelines of the Good Conduct Time Allowances of convicted inmates in the wake of the controversy regarding the possible early release of rape-slay convict former Calauan, Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez.
DoJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the Bureau of Corrections might be asked to suspend the processing of the GCTA until the review has been concluded.
“We’re considering seriously the need to temporarily suspend the processing of GCTAs till the BuCor guidelines are reviewed and firmed up,” said the Justice Secretary.
Following the review of the guidelines, Guevarra said only then the BuCor will resume processing the GCTAs of inmates for the deduction of their prison terms and early release.
“We are reviewing the existing guidelines for GCTA and the BuCor will henceforth base its actions on any new guidelines that will come out,” stated Guevarra.
Citing a report from BuCor Director General Nicanor Faeldon, the Justice Secretary said that around 11,000 inmates stand to benefit from the GCTA pursuant to Republic Act No. 10592.
There were around 200 inmates released following the computation of their GCTA last month.
RA 10592 which was passed in 2013 amended provisions of the Revised Penal Code to increase the GCTAs for inmates and allow their earlier release.
The Supreme Court issued a ruling last June which declared that RA 10592 should also be applied retroactively and not just prospectively since the RPC demands that penal laws should be applied retroactively.
The SC ruling sparked fears that Sanchez could stand to benefit from the law and be released early from prison. (Jeffrey Damicog)
