DILG to seek jail expansion if 'Robin Padilla Law' repealed

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Thursday more funds are needed to expand jail facilities if Congress repeals the law on loose firearms, unofficially referred to as "Robin Padilla Law".

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) would need the funds to accommodate the expected increase of detainees due to the change in laws.

"If we do repeal the Robin Padilla Law and I hope that this distinguished body acts on it I would request that you add additional funds for the BJMP to enhance their facilities," Remula said during the House budget hearing for 2027.

"Because the loose firearms in this country are prevalent and if we catch them it will be non-bailable so we will need more room in our jails," he added.

According to Remula, jail congestion could worsen significantly by around 300% of capacity.

He also cited DILG statistics showing that 98% of violent crimes are committed using loose firearms, rather than legally registered guns.

Remulla was referring to Republic Act (RA) 8294, which was an amendment to Presidential Decree (PD) 1866. The former treats possession of an unlicensed firearm as an "aggravating circumstance" in relation to another crime committed.

PD 1866, however, treated illegal possession as a separate offense punishable by the death penalty.

In 1992, Padilla was charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition under PD 1866 following his involvement in a hit-and-run incident in Angeles City.

As he was serving his sentence, RA 8294 was enacted into law. The late president Fidel Ramos granted him conditional pardon in 1998, allowing him to walk free.

In 2016, former president Rodrigo Duterte granted Padilla absolute pardon, paving the way for the latter to seek public office. — VDV, GMA News