I BELIEVE No. 3 of Sec. 5 clearly states that “the members of the military can only vote they cannot campaign on any issue that will lead to a vote.”
The July 4, 2018 COA report reveals that the Commission on Audit has announced that the overcrowding in jails increased from 511 percent in 2016 to 612 percent in 2017.
If PDEA can offer reward for drug informants, why can they not be the ones to pay the fines and punishment meted out under this section of the Constitution. We invite any of our Integrated Bar members or the entire organization as a whole to work on the implementation of constitutional provision to safeguard detainee.
By email, Dr. Raymundo Narag, sent me A.M No. 12011030SC. entitled “Guidelines for Decongesting Holding Jails by Enforcing the Rights of Accused Persons to Bail and Speedy Trial.” On the other hand, I sent him OCA Circular No. 101-2017. The subject of the latter is the Approval of the Revised Guidelines for Continuous Trial of Criminal Cases which took effect on Sept. 1, 2017, A.M. No. 15-06-10-SC.
Upon looking up old notes for my reading reference, I found “Reaction to Inquirer Editorial on EJK,” from the Office of Senator Richard Gordon. The reaction mentions the existence of Police Court Act of 2017, SB No. 1399, “An Act Establishing the Police Law Enforcement Courts, granting these exclusive original jurisdiction over violations of constitutional rights and Philippine National Police rules of engagement committed by the police, amending Batas Pambansa Bilang 129, as amended, otherwise known as the Judiciary Act of 1980, appropriating funds therefore and for other purposes.”
There is another Act “Strengthening the IAS and PLEBS Act of 2017, SB No. 1374, An Act Amending Republic Act No. 8551, otherwise known as “Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998” and People’s Law Enforcement Boards, RA 6975, otherwise known as “The Department of Interior and Local Government Act of 1990, and for other purposes.” This enables the Internal Affairs Service to act swiftly on investigations of Police personnel and strengthens the disciplinary mechanisms such as People’s Law Enforcement Boards. After all the provisions in the Constitution, as well as the decisions of the Supreme Court and other Acts, why are the jails still so congested and are in subhuman conditions?
From reports of newspapers and the internet and from radio and TV broadcasts, we can say that there is no reason why we have no knowledge of what is happening outside our safe havens — whether we live in mansions or in simple abodes. Still, we do not realize our sins of omission in turning a blind eye to what we think is not our business or our responsibility. We tell ourselves, somebody else should do something. We cannot do anything by ourselves, after all.
Let this be another cry to heaven for relief! A quick answer is needed if we are to remain members of the human society. Or in Filipino, “Kung wala man lamang tayong nararamdaman kahit munting pitik sa puso pag nadidinig ang mga kalunos-lunos na mga kwentong katulad nito, ano na nga kaya tayo? “(If we do not feel even a tiny twinge of concern in our hearts when we hear these detestable stories, what then are we?)”
These are the stories that have made the air so foul for ages yet the odor has failed to bother us! Despite the provision in the 1987 Constitution regarding the prohibition of secret cells, subhuman conditions in prison, etc., nothing has been done to really improve prison facilities.
The sins of omissions and commissions continue, from the time of the Charter Change that was approved in 1986, to the present, our fundamental laws state clearly the prohibitions and penalties.
We have had several Presidents since 1987 Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Arroyo, Benigno Aquino and now under this administration. The revolting conditions still exist past half a century since Judge Antonio Reyes described prison conditions. Even the Supreme Court ruling on how to hasten the decongestion of our jails doesn’t seem to have any effect. If at all, perhaps the results are not noticeable because more people are thrown in jail daily. Perhaps if one goes out, ten or a hundred take their place. (To be continued/PN)
