The Judicial Reform Initiative (JRI), composed of leading business organizations, judicial advocacy groups, and foreign chambers of commerce in the Philippines, has appealed to the Supreme Court and the Department of Justice to initiate measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country’s severely overcrowded detention facilities.
In a letter sent on Monday, April 13, to Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta and DOJ Sec. Menardo Guevarra, the JRI requested for the initiation of a motu proprio review and assessment of the cases of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) highly vulnerable to COVID-19 for possible recommendation to President Duterte for commutation of sentence and early release.
The JRI identified highly vulnerable PDLs, such as senior citizens and those with pre-existing medical conditions, and first offenders of petty crimes, particularly low-risk infractions committed by minors, as possible candidates for the review.
The JRI noted that those convicted of heinous or violent crimes, corruption, terrorism, and drug-related crimes of a certain quantity or involving violence can be excluded, in line with the guidelines of similar programs in other countries.
Aside from the possible early release of vulnerable PDLs and first offenders, the JRI is also recommending that highly vulnerable PDLs be temporarily isolated for their safety, that the “Justice on Wheels” program be accelerated, and that the appropriate motions be filed by the DOJ and the PAO to allow bail on recognizance or allow for a “home detention/confinement” set up for highly vulnerable PDLs.
While noting that the recommendations would be a difficult challenge to the country’s penal system, the JRI stressed that the measures need to be expedited in order to prevent the further spread and mitigate the impact on the most vulnerable of COVID-19. The JRI likewise cited similar measures implemented by other countries as part of their overall strategy to control the spread of the highly communicable disease.
The JRI has been the principal voice of the business sector in advocating for an effective and efficient judicial system since 2012.
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