House panel chair warns BuCor could be charged if concrete wall isn’t demolished

House committee on justice chairman Vicente "Ching" Veloso on Wednesday warned the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) that it could be charged if it does not demolish the barrier it put up across Insular Prison Road in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) reservation.

"Hindi na sila puwede talaga magtayo ng harang otherwise mase-section 3 (e) sila of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Let it be a warning, pag hinarangan niyo pa 'yan, hindi niyo giniba 'yan, puwede kayong kasuhan sa Ombudsman, aakyat 'yan sa Sandiganbayan for violation of Section 3 (E) of  Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act," the Leyte congressman said during a congressional hearing.

[They could not put up a barrier otherwise they could be charged for violating Section 3 (E) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. If you don't demolish that, you could be charged before the Ombudsman and it could reach the Sandiganbayan.]

"Ayusin niyo na 'yan, in light of the plea ng mga tao diyan, aksyunan niyo po 'yan kasi ayaw namin sa Kongreso na magkakasakitan kayo diyan in the exercise of right of ownership," he added.

[Fix that in light of the plea of the residents there. Congress wouldn't want both parties to hurt each other.]

The panel started its inquiry into the closure of the Insular Road in the NBP reservation last March. Muntinlupa City Representative Ruffy Biazon has said the construction of the wall barrier was illegal.

In response, BuCor lawyer Randy Serrano cited Section 6 (B) of Republic Act 10575 or the The Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013, wherein "BuCor shall have the absolute authority to design, formulate and implement land use development plans and policies"

"One of the policies is to free the highly secured facility which is considered or likened to a reservation camp or military camp. The law mentioned why BuCor has absolute authority..." Serrano said, adding that this is a way to maximize assets' value for effective and extensive reformation for national inmates.

Serrano also said that the BuCor will continue coordinating its projects with the local government, and that it will abide by changes to the policies or the law. — BM, GMA News