DOJ FREES 509 PDLS, PROVIDES SPECIAL JOB FAIR FOR FORMER INMATES

JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday announced the release of 509 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) as part of the government’s efforts to decongest jails.

The release coincided with the observance of the 30th National Correctional Consciousness Week (NCCW).

Remulla said the released PDLs were those with expired prison terms, elderly or sickly, those qualified under the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) Law, and those granted parole or executive clemency.

He said the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) arranged a special job fair for the released PDLs.

In partnership with prominent business enterprises such as BP One Foods, Inc., Breakfast at Antonio’s, Pedro the Grocer, Balay Dak, and PGA Cars, the special job fair for former inmates is to explore and venture into various livelihood or business opportunities to help them reintegrate into society.

The DOJ chief said the activities also intend to ramp up the corrections system of the country aligned with the broader initiatives of the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC), composed of the DOJ, Supreme Court, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, to serve as a mechanism to streamline core justice functions by coordination and collaboration.

“Justice is an inherent right which should be accorded to both the free and the incarcerated, this is the true essence of delivering Real Justice for All under the Bagong Pilipinas brand of governance where human rights are always given paramount consideration,” Remulla said.

He lauded BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. for tirelessly exploring possible opportunities for PDLs to start a new life.