Press Release
September 18, 2019

Dispatch from Crame No. 604:
Sen. Leila M. de Lima's Statement on the new IRR promulgated by DOJ and DILG

I hope in my heart that the new Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) promulgated last Sept. 16 by the DOJ and the DILG is meant to be a temporary solution to prevent irreversible damage caused by the "GCTA-for-sale" fiasco that hounded this administration.

It can be seen from the new IRR that the intent for implementation is to prevent the grant of time allowance to PDLs charged of heinous crimes, which renders said IRR as ultra vires. It is very unfortunate that corruption and abuse of the law has deprived truly reformed PDLs of the opportunity to earn time allowances based on good conduct. Yet again, corrupt officials have prejudiced the rights of the powerless.

The law granting Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) is part of the reformatory aspect of the criminal justice system. It provides hope to our countrymen who, for some reason or circumstances borne by the sinfulness of the mortal nature, have been in conflict of the law. It gives them the opportunity to change their ways, brushing aside any issue of innocence on the part of certain PDLs who may have been falsely charged or convicted. Hope and change is not confined to those imprisoned for lesser crimes. It should be made available to everyone.

The grant of time allowances to PDLs charged with heinous crimes, within the standards and processes laid down by the law and the IRR, does not operate to commit injustice against their victims. The real injustice is the undue and improper grant of time allowance to those who do not deserve them and the failure of our system to hold the corrupt officials involved responsible. I submit that we give the PDLs the opportunity to recognize and atone for their sins, confront their victims and ask for forgiveness.

In Isaiah 1:18, it reads, "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool."

Punish the corrupt, but keep the compassion. Let those who are truly deserving receive the opportunities provided by law.

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