Commitment Orders to the Jail Facilities of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology
OCA Circular No. 121-2020, issued on July 21, 2020, directs all judges of the First and Second Level Courts in the Philippines to temporarily suspend the issuance of commitment orders to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in response to COVID-19 concerns. Instead, newly arrested Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) should be committed to local Philippine National Police (PNP) units until BJMP facilities can safely admit them. This measure aims to prevent further contamination among PDLs nationwide and will be reviewed for possible extension beyond August 31, 2020. Judges are required to comply with this directive for the safety of those involved.
Law Information
- Reference Number
- OCA Circular No. 121-2020
- Date Enacted
- Category
- Supreme Court Issuances
- Subcategory
- Office of the Court Administrator Circulars
- Jurisdiction
- Philippines
- Enacting Body
- Congress of the Philippines
Full Law Text
July 21, 2020
OCA CIRCULAR NO. 121-2020
| TO | : | All Judges of the First and Second Level Courts |
| RE | : | Commitment Orders to the Jail Facilities of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology |
Pursuant to the letter-request of Secretary Eduardo M. Año, Department of the Interior and Local Government, to the Court Administrator "that the issuance of commitment orders (to the facilities of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology [BJMP]) be temporarily suspended x x x to prevent the further contamination (of COVID-19) among PDLs (Persons Deprived of Liberty) in all jail units nationwide," and in view of the undertaking of Police General Archie Francisco F. Gamboa, Chief, Philippine National Police (PNP), that the PNP can in the meantime accommodate newly arrested PDLs, all judges shall issue commitment orders for newly arrested PDLs, from date until 31 August 2020, to the local PNP units, unless the local BJMP jail units are already able to admit newly arrested PDLs during this period.
This period may be extended in a subsequent circular of the Office of the Court Administrator, if found to be warranted.
For the guidance and compliance of all judges.
Makati City, July 21, 2020.
(SGD.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZCourt Administrator
Cite This Law
Commitment Orders to the Jail Facilities of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, OCA Circular No. 121-2020, Jul 21, 2020 (Philippines)
Commitment Orders to the Jail Facilities of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, OCA Circular No. 121-2020 (Phil. 2020)
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