Philippine officials discussed the potential decriminalization of offenses like libel, abortion, and dueling as part of efforts to alleviate severe jail overcrowding during the National Decongestion Summit.
The summit brought together representatives from the legislative, executive, and judiciary branches.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez underscored the urgency for a thorough review of the Revised Penal Code to address the issue of jail congestion effectively. Romualdez highlighted the need to evaluate the current crime classifications and the possibility of decriminalizing specific offenses.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri expressed openness to studying the potential decriminalization of certain offenses but also shared his personal anti-abortion stance, emphasizing the sanctity of life from conception.
Statistics from the Justice Sector Coordinating Council reveal a critical situation: out of approximately 199,000 individuals in detention, 70 percent are awaiting trial, while 30 percent are convicted. Jails managed by the Bureau of Jail Management are currently operating at a staggering 386 percent congestion rate.
Officials see decriminalization as a viable strategy for both immediate and long-term relief from this congestion. This approach includes reconsidering arrest quotas for law enforcement agencies.
Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo didn’t comment directly on the decriminalization aspect but pointed out ongoing reforms in the penal system, including revisions to criminal procedure rules to speed up case processing.
Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu highlighted the importance of rehabilitation reforms, particularly for prisoners, including terrorists. Yu cautioned that without effective rehabilitation, incarcerated terrorists could become more radicalized, posing a threat of radicalizing others, especially in overcrowded jails.