Latest news with #BuCor
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Kapatid spox banned from entering CIW due to alleged repeated violations —BuCor
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Monday defended the banning of Fides Lim, the spokesperson of political prisoner group Kapatid, from entering the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW), saying it did so due to repeated violations and unruly behavior. In a letter sent to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla dated July 12, BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. said Lim has been banned since April 29 after a thorough investigation. The bureau said it found alleged repeated instances of 'defiance, arrogance, and disruptive conduct towards corrections officers, including high-ranking officials, during visits at the New Bilibid Prison' from February 2024 to October 2024. 'There are procedures to follow when visiting a PDL, and we treat everyone the same. No special treatment; all are equal,' Catapang said in a statement. 'We have to maintain order and adhere to security protocols within the correctional system to ensure a safe environment for both staff and PDLs,' he added. This came after Lim asked the Department of Justice to investigate why she was denied entry while delivering food to a person deprived of liberty (PDL) last week. GMA News Online has asked Lim for comment but has yet to receive a response as of posting time. —KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
09-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Jun Lozada, NBN-ZTE deal whistleblower, released from Bilibid — BuCor
NBN-ZTE deal whistleblower Rodolfo Noel 'Jun' Lozada Jr. has been released from detention at the New Bilibid Prison, the Bureau of Corrections confirmed Wednesday. In a message to GMA News Online, BuCor said Lozada and his brother, Jose Orlando Lozada, were released on May 9. BuCor said Lozada served his minimum sentence and became eligible for parole. In 2007, the Ombudsman accused Lozada of partiality and giving unwarranted benefits when he awarded over 6.599 hectares of public land to his brother under the Lupang Hinirang Program of the Philippine Forest Corporation. The siblings were found guilty of graft by the Sandiganbayan in August 2016. In 2022, the Supreme Court affirmed with modification the graft ruling against them. They were sentenced to a minimum imprisonment of six years and one month and maximum imprisonment of 10 years and one day. Lozada was a whistleblower in the multi-million NBN-ZTE deal involving former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
04-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
BI opens warden facility at NBP
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang, and Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado lead the opening of a new facility at NBP. (Photo from BI) The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Friday inaugurated its new warden facility inside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, according to the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor). BuCor said the facility, which can accommodate 450 foreign nationals, will serve as another detention site for foreigners undergoing deportation proceedings. 'This facility arrives at a crucial time as we intensify deportation proceedings, especially against foreign nationals involved in illicit POGO operations,' Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado said in a statement. BuCor said the facility will be further expanded to accommodate 700 people. 'This milestone underscores our whole-of-government approach to border control and immigration enforcement,' he said. 'It is a concrete response to the President's call to protect our borders and safeguard our people from criminal elements, especially those abusing systems like the POGO scheme,' he added. Also present at the inauguration were Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang. —Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
04-07-2025
- GMA Network
Around 1k inmates released from June to July 2025
A total of 1,004 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) from various prisons and penal farms nationwide were released from June 13 to July 3, 2025, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said Friday. BuCor said this brings the total number of released PDLs under the current administration to 24,583. Data from the bureau showed that 423 were from various compounds in the New Bilibid Prison, 52 from the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW), 1 from CIW-Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, and 10 from CIW-Mindanao. Around 136 were from the Davao Prison and Penal Farm, 109 from the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, 50 from the Leyte Regional Prison, 110 from the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm, and 113 from the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm. Aside from this, it said that 61 were released due to acquittal, 16 due to probation, 16 due to habeas corpus, 94 due to parole, 1 due to bail, 1 due to cash bond, 459 due to expired sentence not covered by Department Order (DO) 652, and 356 due to expired sentence approved by the justice secretary. Under DO 652, the bureau said that the release of PDLs incarcerated in national penitentiaries with expired sentences shall be approved by the BuCor director general or his duly authorized representative. Meanwhile, the release of PDLs sentenced to life imprisonment or reclusion perpetua or those classified as high-risk or high-profile shall be implemented only upon prior approval of the justice secretary. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
11-06-2025
- General
- GMA Network
BuCor inaugurates new conjugal building at Bilibid
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Wednesday inaugurated a newly constructed conjugal building at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City. The bureau said the facility provides a secure and dignified space for PDLs to maintain family ties, adding that this is an important aspect of social reintegration. According to the bureau, the facility was donated by an individual while the amenities and furnishings were provided by a Philippine-based hotel chain. The inauguration was led by BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. "The Bureau continues to explore infrastructure enhancements that align with international standards on correctional management, in its pursuit of a modern, humane, and reform-oriented penal system," the BuCor said in a statement. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
