House bill seeks to allow expungement of criminal records of low-level crime convicts

A bill has been filed at the House of Representatives seeking to allow those who have been convicted of certain crimes to have their criminal records expunged from government records.

House Bill 7938 or the proposed Clean Slate Act "aims to address the stigma and discrimination faced by deserving and qualified individuals who have completed their sentence and are not guilty of heinous crimes," said 4Ps Party-List Representative JC Abalos, the bill's author, in his explanatory note.

He added that the bill also seeks to ensure that former jailed convicts "are granted equal access to opportunities and support structures to aid in his or her reintegration to society."

To be eligible for the expungement of criminal records, the individual must maintain a clean record for a period of one year after completing his or her sentence or probationary period.

However, the individual must disclose the information when inquired into during court proceedings, by law enforcement agencies, insurance companies, or employers fielding positions that require the use of firearms or the handling of finances.

Ineligible for expungement of criminal records are sex offenders; those convicted of offense related to treason, terrorism, and other national security-related offenses; bribery; graft and corruption; kidnapping and illegal detention; crimes related to illegal drugs; and other heinous crimes.

Abalos clarified that the expungement is a privilege and not a right. —KBK, GMA Integrated News