REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPPINES )

19TH CONGRESS )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ) S.S.

2ND REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO.______

TITLE:“AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA FOR PERSONS DEPRIVED OF LIBERTY,
AND PERSONS COVICTED BY FINAL JUDGMENT OF CRIMES PUNISHABLE BY LAW”

AUTHOR: ______________________________.

TITLE I. PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS

Article 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Magna Carta for
Persons Deprived of Liberty and Persons Convicted of Crimes.”

Article 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared as a matter of

State Policy that the dignity of every human person is valued, including all
Persons Deprived of Liberty and Persons Convicted by Final Judgment of
Crimes Punishable by Law.

To this end, measures must be taken to guarantee full respect of their

human rights, including but not limited to the right to due process and
equal protection, receive proper healthcare, right to adequate food and
clean water, right to adequate living spaces, right of access to outside
information, right to vote, and the right against unjust and cruel
punishment during their service of sentence.

Article 3. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the following

Terms and Definitions are hereby adopted:

a. Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL)/ Detainee –

b. Persons Convicted of Crimes/ Convicts –
c. Penal Institutions -
d. BJMP – Refers to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
e. CHR – Refers to the Commission on Human Rights.
f. DOJ - Refers to the Department of Justice.

Article 4. Scope. – This Act shall cover all Persons Deprived of Liberty
(PDL) and Persons Convicted of Crimes currently incarcerated in any Penal
Institution, regardless of the length of detention or service and nature of
the crimes accused or convicted with.

TITLE II. GENERAL RIGHTS OF PERSONS DEPRIVED OF LIBERTY (PDL) AND PERSONS
CONVICTED OF CRIMES

Article 5. Right to Due Process and Equal Protection of Laws. – All Penal
Institutions are mandated to guarantee the Detainees and Convicts’ rights to
due process and equal protection of laws in the duration of their stay in
detention or service of sentence.

Article 6. Right to Freedom of Religion – The Detainees and Convicts shall

enjoy the free exercise and enjoyment of religion without any discrimination
or preference. All Penal Institutions shall provide places of worship within
the compounds

Page 1 of 1