Decriminalization of libel, abortion to be reviewed by House —Romualdez

Speaker Martin Romualdez on Wednesday said that the House of Representatives will review the possible decriminalization of libel, abortion, and dueling in a bid to decongest correction facilities.

Romualdez, speaking at the National Jail Decongestion Summit, also emphasized how the Revised Penal Code’s classification system “needs an overhaul.”  

“Our goal is to ensure that every punishment is proportionate to the gravity of the crimes thus committed,” he said.

“This review will assess the deterrent effect of these classifications and consider the decriminalization of certain offenses like libel, abortion, and dueling,” added Romualdez.

Aside from reviewing the classification of crimes, he also said that the House will also look into the diversion of adult offenders. 

“Building on the success in diverting children in conflict with the law, we also like to advocate for the enactment of a law that extends similar diversionary measures to adult offenders,” Romualdez said.

“This would involve alternatives to incarceration for minor offenses and first-time offenders, reducing unnecessary admissions into our penal facilities,” he said.

Romualdez also bared plans to review and examine the proposal for the creation of a Unified Penology System and a law that will look into the reintegration and psychosocial rehabilitation for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

“These proposals represent a holistic approach to a complex problem. They reflect our commitment to a justice system that is not only efficient and equitable but also humane and respectful of the rights and dignity of every Filipino,” explained Romualdez.

Senate study

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, for his part, said the said proposals will also be tackled before the Senate.

“Of course,” Zubiri said in an ambush interview when asked if the Senate would also look into the proposal.

“We’re looking at the merits of each bill. It’s under the committee of Senator (Francis) Tolentino on the Committee on Justice. So, kukulitin ko siya ano ba mga recommendations niya. But pinagaaralan din po natin ‘yan,” he added.

(We’re looking at the merits of each bill. It’s under the committee of Senator Tolentino on the Committee on Justice. I will ask him about his recommendations. We are also looking into it.)

He said that even with the possible decriminalization, fines may still be imposed against those who are found guilty.

“When you decriminalize kasi, it doesn’t mean that you will not be fined. But at least they will not be jailed. So, therefore, a large number of Filipinos will avoid jail time and, therefore decongest our jail systems,” Zubiri said.

DOJ recommendation

The proposal to decriminalize libel, abortion, and dueling to decongest jails came from the Department of Justice (DOJ), according to Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano.

Clavano believes that the decriminalization of such crimes is one of the “short-term solutions” to decongest prison facilities.

“Siguro meron talagang mga mare-release dahil sa decriminalization ng libel and abortion, but that only pertains to a small profile of PDLs. ‘Yung sinusulong po natin dito ay reformation din,” he said.

(Some individuals may be released due to the decriminalization of libel and abortion, but that only pertains to a small profile of PDLs. We are also pushing for reformation here.)

“‘Yung opinion po namin kung kailangan i-decriminalize o hindi, we’ll leave it up to them kasi mas holistic po ‘yung perspective po nila. We have obviously, sa criminal justice system, we have our biases dahil syempre ang nakikita lang namin ‘yung mga criminals,” Clavano said in a separate interview.

(Because, in our opinion, if there's a need to decriminalize or not, we'll leave it up to them because their perspective is more holistic. We have obviously, in our criminal justice system, we have our biases because, of course, we only deal with criminals.) 

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. was supposed to attend the National Jail Decongestion Summit but was unable to attend after he tested positive for COVID-19 —VAL, GMA Integrated News