Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 21) — The Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP) announced on Wednesday that a total of 117 inmates are eligibile for early release under simplified rules for parole and clemency aimed at decongesting jails in view of the coronavirus crisis.
The BPP also said that 424 more inmates are ‘possibly qualified’ to get out of prison, pending clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation.
The board said it is set to review more requests for parole next week.
No other details were immediately available.
Last month, the Department of Justice approved the BPP resolution, removing most of the requirements for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) seeking parole and executive clemency.
Under the interim rules for conditional release from prison, applicants need only to submit the court certifications of No Pending Cases, No Pending Appeal, as well as an NBI clearance. There used to be 16 requirements, the BPP said.
Prisoners aged 65 or older can avail themselves of the easier parole process, provided that they have served at least five years of their sentence. Those with serious medical ailments who can prove that their continued imprisonment will worsen their condition may also avail of parole, but would need certification from a designated doctor from the Department of Health or the Malacañang clinic director.
The board can grant parole to an inmate who has served the minimum period of his sentence. Meanwhile, only the President can grant executive clemency, which involves the reduction of jail time or the removal of a person’s criminal liability.
Various human rights groups have called for the release of low risk, vulnerable inmates saying jails are a ‘ticking-time bomb’ for infections.
Hundreds of detainees in different parts of the country have contracted the viral disease.
