It is a Happy New Year for at least 53 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the Talisay City Jail Male Dormitory in Cebu because of a release order that granted them back their liberty. 

The PDLs were released on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, to be able to spend the New Year revelry with their respective families.  

The release is based on Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA), or PDLs facing petty transgressions who have demonstrated good behavior while inside the facility. 

Two mothers waiting for their respective sons to come out of the Talisay City BJMP facility went emotional. They said they have both been waiting for about five years for their sons to come home. 

Mothers, as they will always be, are forgiving no matter the degree of their sons’ transgressions, they said.

As a mother’s love often transcends typical boundaries of anger or resentment, Vilma and Nora (not their true names) said they have prayed a lot for their sons’ change of heart and release from prison. 

BJMP Talisay City, headed by JSupt. Josephus Jelianggao, has aspired to facilitate the PDLs’ release a day to the New Year to coincide with the celebration in welcoming 2026 that embraces new life - or renewed life. 

Meanwhile, 32-year-old Tino (not his real name), is thankful that he will be received into the family of Senior Jail Officer 1 Albert Alburo. Tino, who spent 17 years in and out of prison, has no family to come home to. He said his family is still mad at him after he stole valuables to keep up with his vices.

Alburo met Tino the moment he stepped out of the facility. 

Yet, Tino said, he continues to hope against hope that his family will be able to forgive him in time. 

The BJMP urged the public to give ex-PDLs a second chance, as the agency continues to perform its task in the aftercare services for them.