Angara: BuCor will initiate systemic reforms in 4 months

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has committed to introduce significant reforms within the agency in four months, Senator Sonny Angara said Thursday.

At the Senate plenary debates on the proposed 2023 National Budget, Senator Raffy Tulfo asked the BuCor, an agency under the Department of Justice,  about  its plan to address the alleged corruption in the bureau, particularly the entry of contraband inside the prisons.

"Dito po sa Bureau of Corrections, kailan ho ba matitigil itong katiwalian, kung saan madaling maipasok o palaging nakakapasok ang kontrabando sa loob ng BuCor?" Senator Tulfo said.

"Ito ho ba ay matutuldukan o patuloy na ating makikita o mararamdaman o mababalitaan itong klaseng problema sa loob ng BuCor?" he added.

Angara, who was defending the budget of the Department of Justice, BuCor's mother agency, said the bureau's officials are acknowledging the problems that Tulfo raised.

"Give them two to four years daw ho talagang mag-iimplementa sila ng mahigpit na sistema..systemic changes to reform the system in the BuCor," Angara added.

Tulfo then asked if it is possible to make these reforms in two to four months.

"'Yung two to four years, pwede ba nating gawing two to four months? Kung gusto maraming paraan. Kung ayaw maraming dahilan," Tulfo said.

In response, Angara said: "Yung four months ho...may ipinapangako na ho silang pagbabago. Maaaring hindi 100 percent pero uumpisahan na at magpapakitang gilas na sila."

The BuCor has been on the spotlight over controversies cited in testimonies that a prisoner from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) allegedly ordered the killing of broadcast journalist Percy Lapid.

Recently, the BuCor presented assorted contraband, including knives, guns, cellphones, drugs, and around 7,500 cans of beer.

Tulfo then attributed the problem to the alleged connivance with BuCor officers.

"Hindi naman kasi mapapasok ang mga kontrabandong yan kung 'di nakikipagsabwatan ang mismong kawani ng BUcor," he said, to which Angara agreed.

Tulfo then raised the need for a "top to bottom cleaning" within the bureau.

He suggested conducting a lifestyle check on BuCor officers, claiming some of them have already procured luxury cars and condominium units.

A thorough inspection to all visitors and employees who are entering the national penitentiary must also be in place to address the problem, Tulfo added.

Angara said BuCor officer-in-charge Gregorio Catapang Jr. is giving a thumbs up to all the issues raised by Tulfo and the bureau will do its best to intensify their security measures in the NBP. —LBG, GMA Integrated News