DOCUMENTS: GCTA Law Manual and IRR

Senator Francis Tolentino suggests revising the IRR and to draft different manuals for the Bureau of
Corrections and the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

MANILA, Philippines – The Senate investigation into Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) Law revealed
that gaps and loopholes spanning the Aquino and Duterte administrations created the mess that now
surrounds the law.

The Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) Law can slash by half the sentence of an inmate who
demonstrates sustained good behavior.

There is much contention on whether Republic Act No. 10592, excludes heinous crimes convicts from
the coverage of the GCTA.

The 2014 Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) and the 2017 Manual failed to clarify that provision,
and 1,914 heinous crimes convicts have already been freed. The entire government is debating whether
or not to revoke their grant of freedom.

On Tuesday, September 3, Senator Francis Tolentino suggested revising the IRR and to draft different
manuals for the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and Board of Pardons and Paroles.