Manila: The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has urged lawmakers to enact a law allowing medical parole for inmates who are elderly, terminally ill, or severely incapacitated. BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. emphasized this proposal during the deliberations on the proposed 2026 budget of the Department of Justice and its attached agencies by the Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives.

According to Philippines News Agency, Catapang highlighted the need for a bill that would create a system based on humanitarian considerations and global best practices. This system aims to ensure that elderly or terminally ill persons deprived of liberty retain their dignity and receive appropriate medical care. Catapang pointed out that countries like the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada have already established legal frameworks for compassionate or medical parole, acknowledging that prolonged incarceration of terminally ill or severely incapacitated individuals could be considered inhumane and may not serve a legitimate penal objective.

Catapang noted the chronic challenges faced by the penal system, including overcrowding, inadequate healthcare, and an increasing population of elderly persons deprived of liberty (PDL). He explained that many inmates over the age of 70 suffer from chronic illnesses that hinder their ability to care for themselves and present minimal risks to public safety. Current estimates suggest that there are between 500 to 1,000 elderly individuals incarcerated, with approximately 100 identified as terminally ill.

In addition to advocating for medical parole, Catapang also stressed the importance of increasing the medical allowance for PDLs, highlighting the need to improve healthcare provisions within correctional facilities.