Earlier Today | The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), under the leadership of Director General, GENERAL GREGORIO PIO P CATAPANG JR, AFP (Ret.), CESE, together with the supervision of Commission on Election (COMELEC) Chairman, ATTY. GEORGE ERWIN M. GARCIA facilitated eight hundred seventeen (817) Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) to exercise their right of suffrage during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) held at the Inmate Visitation Services Unit (IVSU), Maximum Security Compound (MaxSeCom).
Out of 2, 102 registered PDL voters, the actual number who voted was 817 comprising almost 90 percent of the PDL voters, 763 qualified PDL were from MaxSeCom; 49 PDL from the Medium Security Compound (MedSeCom), while 5 PDL were accommodated from the Minimum Security Compound (MinSeCom).
Simultaneously, the different Operating Prison and Penal Farm (OPPF) administered also the PDL voting wherein 527 PDL confined at Davao Prison and Penal Farm (DPPF) were entitled to vote, 277 PDL at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW), 266 in Leyte Regional Prison (LRP), 157 at San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm (SRPPF), and 58 from Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF).
PDL who are qualified to vote are those: confined in the facility who are formally charged for any crime and awaiting or undergoing trial; serving a sentence of imprisonment for less than one (1) year; or whose conviction is on appeal.
The COMELEC Muntinlupa team, spearheaded by ATTY. KIMBERLY JOY T. ALZATE-CU, Executive Officer IV said that the preparation of the BuCor was organized that led to a successful process due to the Bureau’s hand in hand in coordination with its friendly forces in the government, ensuring conducive election facilities, providing stringent security, and medical assistance within the area. The ballot will be sent to its mother unit at Poblacion Elementary School for the official counting and canvassing of votes.
The authorization of 880 PDL to vote represented acceptance of their rights as citizens and ensured their full participation in a democratic process. PDL who voted demonstrated the Bureau’s ongoing commitment in promoting their rehabilitation and reintegration into society. It provides them a sense of belonging and contributes to restoring their faith in humanitarian reformation efforts. PDL could voice their ideas and contribute to decision-making by exercising their right to vote.
These endeavors are just a few of DG CATAPANG’s genuine efforts to guarantee efficient governance and leadership within the institution.