9,731 inmates freed by SC during quarantine

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the release of almost 10,000 detainees since the Philippines was hit by a public health emergency brought by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. 

In a three-page administrative circular, the SC said that the court administrator reported around 9,731 detainees freed from March 17 to April 29, or during the period when parts of the country were placed under community quarantine. 

Of the number, the SC said that 2,082 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) were released from Metro Manila jails; 4,657 in other areas in Luzon outside the metropolis; 1,072 in the Visayas and 1,920 in Mindanao. 

The freed PDLs, who have been arraigned and are undergoing trial, may also avail themselves of the reduced bail and recognizance “unless they have already served the minimum imposable penalty for the crime they are accused.” 

The SC also emphasized that the order does not apply to detainees serving their sentence. 

The high court has attributed the swift release of the detainees to circulars it released that aim to facilitate and expedite the process, including the electronic filing of information and transmission of release order and the guidelines on the release of qualified PDLs.    

“With this instant initiative, more PDLs are expected to be released,” the SC said. 

To further decongest local jails, the SC also ordered all justices, judges, prosecutors, public attorneys and all members of the Bar to reduce bail and recognizance as modes for releasing indigent PDLs amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Under the new order, the detainees charged with a crime punishable with 12 to 20 years of imprisonment shall be granted bail, computed by getting the medium period multiplied by P3,000 for every year of imprisonment. 

The bail for PDLs charged with a crime punishable with six to 12 years shall be computed by getting the medium period multiplied by P2,000 for every year of imprisonment. 

For inmates with a crime punishable with six months to six years imprisonment, the bail should be computed by getting the medium period multiplied by P1,000 for every year of imprisonment. 

Those with a crime punishable with one month to six months, as well as one day to 30 days, may be released on their own recognizance. 

“Any violation of the undertaking or conditions imposed on the bail or recognizance shall be a ground for the cancellation of the said bail or recognizance which will justify of a warrant of arrest against the accused,” the SC said. 

The SC, however, clarified that PDLs shall not be granted bail or recognizance if they have not yet been arraigned. The arraignment and release on bail or recognizance may be conducted through videoconferencing.