Senator Raffy Tulfo has called on the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to immediately address mounting complaints of neglect and irregularities inside detention facilities, particularly the alleged illegal business activities of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).
During a Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs hearing on Wednesday, April 15, Tulfo raised concerns over a reported case involving a former inmate from Lapu-Lapu City Jail.
The ex-detainee claimed on Tulfo’s radio program that he was allowed to run a business while in detention, selling phone cards to fellow inmates and accumulating coupons worth millions. The controversy deepened when the jail warden allegedly refused to convert the coupons into cash, prompting the former inmate to seek Tulfo’s assistance.
“Pumasok siya as an ordinary guy and he came out of prison as a millionaire. Bakit pinapayagan niyo ang isang PDL na magnegosyo sa loob ng bilangguan ng wantusawa at wala kayong ginagawang regulasyon?” Tulfo questioned.
Tulfo warned that such activities pose serious security risks, particularly the misuse of communication access. He noted that allowing inmates to sell phone cards could enable unmonitored contact, potentially facilitating illegal transactions, including drug-related operations.
Under current BJMP policy, PDLs are only permitted to communicate with a limited list of ten vetted individuals—five family members and five professionals such as lawyers, doctors, or religious advisers.
BJMP Superintendent Dennis Rocamora acknowledged lapses in the reported incident, reiterating that inmates are strictly prohibited from engaging in business activities within jail facilities.
He clarified that while commissaries are permitted, these must operate under the supervision of jail wardens, with profits allocated to livelihood programs for inmates.
Tulfo also raised alarm over the handling of cash inside jails, warning that unregulated funds could fuel illicit activities.
Rocamora explained that inmates are allowed to receive a maximum of ₱1,000 per week and that a legal tender system has been implemented to limit cash transactions, although many PDLs still prefer using cash.
To address these issues, Tulfo proposed the digitization of financial systems within detention facilities to improve transparency and ensure compliance with regulations.
Rocamora expressed support for the recommendation, citing its potential to enhance monitoring and accountability within the system.