Senator Raffy Tulfo flags jail irregularities, pushes for BJMP reforms

Senator Raffy Tulfo urged the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to act on multiple complaints received by his office concerning alleged negligence and irregularities in detention facilities.

Among the concerns raised were reports that persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) are engaging in unauthorized business activities while in custody.

During the April 15 hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, Tulfo cited the case of a former inmate from Lapu-Lapu City Jail who sought assistance through his program, Raffy Tulfo in Action.

The individual claimed he was able to run a business selling phone cards to fellow inmates, reportedly earning coupons amounting to millions of pesos. However, he alleged that the jail warden refused to convert these into cash, prompting him to seek help.

“Pumasok siya as an ordinary guy and he came out of prison as a millionaire. Bakit pinapayagan niyo ang isang PDL na magnegosyo sa loob ng bilangguan ng wantusawa at wala kayong ginagawang regulation?” Tulfo asked.

Tulfo warned that allowing such activities could undermine monitoring systems, especially if PDLs are able to use communication tools to conduct transactions outside detention facilities.

Under current BJMP rules, inmates are limited to ten approved contacts—five family members and five professional contacts such as lawyers, doctors, or religious advisers—all of whom must undergo vetting.

He also cited drug-related cases, stressing that unregulated access to communication could enable continued illegal operations.

BJMP Superintendent Dennis Rocamora acknowledged lapses in the reported incident, reiterating that inmates are prohibited from operating businesses inside jails. He clarified that while commissaries are allowed, these must be managed by jail authorities, with proceeds directed toward livelihood programs.

Tulfo further questioned the amount of money inmates are allowed to hold, warning that weak controls could facilitate illicit transactions.

Rocamora explained that PDLs are permitted to receive up to ₱1,000 weekly. He added that although a legal tender system is intended to reduce cash use, many inmates still rely on physical currency.

To address this, Tulfo proposed fully digitalizing financial transactions in jails to improve monitoring through a computerized system, including tracking spending limits. Rocamora expressed support for the proposal.

The senator also called for wider CCTV coverage in key areas of detention facilities to strengthen oversight of inmate activities.

Rocamora said that while cameras are installed in some sections, they do not yet cover all common areas such as lobbies. Tulfo emphasized the need to place cameras in high-traffic zones to better detect and prevent irregularities.

He noted that BJMP currently operates around 2,600 CCTV units across 488 jail facilities nationwide, citing budget limitations as a constraint. Tulfo, in turn, pledged support for increasing the agency’s funding to enhance monitoring capabilities.

During the same hearing, Tulfo also flagged alleged irregularities within the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), particularly in fire safety inspections and the sale of fire extinguishers.

He said his office has received repeated reports of alleged corrupt practices involving some fire personnel who are supposedly working with suppliers to promote specific fire extinguisher brands to businesses seeking fire safety clearances.

Tulfo added that the issue had previously been exposed by Jonvic Remulla, who warned that corruption within the BFP has grown into an estimated ₱15-billion annual enterprise.

“Matagal na ‘tong nangyayari, decades ago pa. Ang raket diyan ng fire personnel ay kino-corner nila ang bentahan ng fire extinguisher, pabor sa mga kasabwat nilang manufacturers,” he said.

Tulfo then asked BFP Officer-in-Charge Wilberto Rico Beil Kwan Tiu about measures being taken to curb these practices.

Tiu responded that reforms are being implemented, including the use of bodycams for inspectors, the reassignment of personnel, and retraining programs focused on ethics and professionalism. He also stressed that the BFP does not endorse specific brands and is strengthening monitoring systems to prevent conflicts of interest.