APRIL 21, 2016

NR # 4177B

Stiff penalties for contrabands in prison facilities sought

A lawmaker has filed a bill seeking to penalize any person who will provide, assist, aid or abet the
entry of any contraband in any prison facility in the Philippines.
Rep. Roy M. Loyola (5th District, Cavite) filed House Bill 5312 or the Anti-contraband in Prison
Act to stop the misbehaviors inside the prison facility by imposing stiff penalties needed to improve the
countrys prison system.
The first step towards the needed reform in our prison system is hopefully through this bill. This
representation believes that a stiff penalty is required in this circumstance in order to instill fear and be an
effective hindrance to those contemplating of doing this crime in the future, said Loyola.
In the proposal, contrabands specifically refer to dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and
chemicals, laboratory equipment and other drug paraphernalia.
These also refer to objects that can be used as weapons that threaten the life, order, discipline or
security of an individual or to facilitate escape from prison.
Moreover, these also pertain to intoxicating beverages, money of all currencies, gadgets, signal
jammers or any device used for the purpose of communicating within and outside the facility.
Visitors and guardians shall prepare and accomplish a registration form before any prison official
in charge of manning the entrance.
The registration form shall contain the visitors full name, complete address and affiliation to the
detainee.
Visitors shall also present documents as proof of identification, the objects to be brought inside
the prison and the purpose of the visit.
Failure to conform with the registration requirement shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment
ranging from 1 to 5 days or a fine of P1,000.
Any inmate who attempts, provides, makes, possesses or obtains any prohibited objects shall
suffer the penalty of imprisonment of 20 years to 40 years and a fine of P10 million.
Similarly, any person who introduces or brings into prison any prohibited contrabands for delivery
to an inmate shall receive the penalty of imprisonment ranging from 20 years to 40 years and a fine of
P10 million.
Additionally, any person who aids, assists or abets in the procurement by an inmate of the
prohibited contrabands shall suffer imprisonment from 12 years to 20 years and a fine of P5 million.
The penalty shall also be in addition to the original penalty to which the inmate was sentenced to
serve.
Penalties under House Bill 5312 also include government officials or employees in connivance
with the inmates or other private persons involved.
Not only will they suffer the same penalty, they shall likewise suffer the additional penalty of
perpetual absolute disqualification from holding a public office and forfeiture of all his retirement
benefits and accrued credit leaves, said Loyola. (30) nap