CHIEF Justice Diosdado Peralta has ordered an investigation into reports that some 1,728 persons remained in detention for COVID-19 quarantine violations even though these offenses are bailable.
During a recent online press conference, Peralta asked the Justice Sector Coordinating Council, of whic the Supreme Court is a member along with the Department of Justice and Department of Interior and Local Government, to look into the matter.
“So I’m now telling the Court Administrator who’s present here that if the cases are filed there, at nandiyan pa, or bailable, and can be released on their own recognizance, they have to do something,” Peralta said.
“I don’t like that, for every day of imprisonment, ano yun eh, masama yan eh,” he continued.
Last week, Peralta disclosed that more than 80,000 inmates or persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) have been released since lockdowns were imposed in the country due to COVID-19 outbreak.
According to Peralta, of the total number of 81,888 released PDLs, 46,032 got their freedom via videoconferencing.
Also, there are 19,173 PDLs who were released through bail/recognizance; 2,980 who have already served minimum imposable penalty recognizance, and 8,669 released on probation or fine.
Peralta also said that 4,575 were released after their cases were dismissed; 1,556 were acquitted; 3,905 have already served minimum penalty and 5,175 served maximum penalty.#
