Geared towards revitalizing the country's Corrections system to ensure the well-being of reforming persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" C. Remulla led the Department of Justice (DOJ) in signing the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 10592, generally known as the "Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) Law” last Friday, 13 December at the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

In a ceremonial signing between the DOJ and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) today, both parties vowed to strictly conform to the IRR and faithfully implement its provisions within their respective penal jurisdictions.

Following a recent landmark Supreme Court (SC) ruling, all PDLs, regardless of their crimes, are entitled to avail of the benefits of the GCTA after conviction.

Under Rule III of the amended IRR, prison authorities are mandated to inform the detainee, upon commitment, of the provisions of Article 29 of the RPC pertaining to preventive imprisonment credits where a PDL who underwent the same shall be credited either fully or 4/5 of the period of his preventive imprisonment.

Meanwhile, Rule IV thoroughly explains how GCTA is credited during Preventive Imprisonment and After Conviction, as well as the actual deductible GCTA for the following instances:

a. During the first two (2) years of imprisonment, a deduction of twenty (20) days;

b. During the third to the fifth year, inclusive of his imprisonment, a deduction of twenty-three (23) days;

c. During the following years until the tenth year, inclusive, of his imprisonment, a deduction of twenty-five (25) days; and

d. During the eleventh and successive years of his imprisonment, a deduction of thirty (30) days.

Other Rules in the IRR amendment tackle Time Allowance for Study, Teaching and Mentoring (TASTM), Immediate Release of a PDL under Preventive Imprisonment, Special Time Allowance for Loyalty (STAL), among others.

"This manifesto is a reflection of this administration's unwavering commitment to upholding and fostering the welfare of our PDLs by delivering compassionate justice with paramount consideration for human dignity and human rights, Bagong Pilipinas, Bagong Pag-Asa para sa mga kapatid natin sa mga piitan," said Sec Remulla.

This amendatory IRR shall take effect fifteen (15) days following the date of publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.