When Presidential Spokesperson Atty.
Salvador Panelo stated that the problem with respect to the Republic Act 10592,
which provided the grant of Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) to prisoners can
be traced to the previous administration, it was not tantamount to blaming the
Aquino administration but merely “stating facts.”
"The President and this
representation are not blaming the previous administration and Senator Leila de
Lima, who was its Secretary of Justice, for the mess in the implementation of
Republic Act No. 10592, particularly with respect to the provisions governing
the GCTA for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs)," Panelo said in a
statement
Detained opposition senator Leila De
Lima slammed Panelo for saying the implementing rules and regulations
(IRR) of the GCTA Law paved the way for the release of inmates earlier
convicted of heinous crimes.
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| Mar Roxas and Leila De Lima, both of the Liberal Party (photo credit to owner) |
Panelo in
his reply to De Lima argued that Malacanang was "just stating the
facts" which "remain clear and uncontroverted."
"The people are blaming the
officials of this Administration for the GCTA fiasco. As for us, we would
rather advise Senator de Lima to look in the mirror and ask herself who to
blame for the same," he chided.
"It was Senator de Lima and Mr.
Mar Roxas, when he was the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, who
jointly issued IRR of RA No. 10592," he added.
Citing Rule IV, Section 3 of the law's
IRR, which was used as basis for disqualifying certain persons from the
benefits of GCTA, Panelo said PDLs charged with or convicted of heinous crimes
were not included.
Panelo added that "PDLs who were
charged with heinous crimes, not being disqualified to be granted credit for
preventive imprisonment" under the said provision "are therefore
entitled to sentence deductions for good conduct" under Rule V, Section 1
(a) of the IRR.
Those already convicted of heinous
crimes, on the other hand, are entitled under Rule V, Section 1(b) of the IRR,
he added.
"These are the rules Senator de
Lima crafted and these started all the mess with regard to the issue on GCTA,"
Panelo said.
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Report from PNA
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