Manila: Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo announced that the Supreme Court is exploring the possibility of revising rules to permit courts to consider house arrest, hospital arrest, and other forms of preventive detention. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to alleviate overcrowding in the country's prison and jail facilities.
According to Philippines News Agency, during the opening conference of the 2nd National Decongestion Summit at the Manila Hotel, Chief Justice Gesmundo shared that the proposed revision of the Rules of Criminal Procedure, currently under deliberation by the Court en banc, includes a provision on custodial hearings. The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology reported a national congestion rate reduction from 296 percent in May 2025 to 286 percent in September 2025.
Gesmundo highlighted that from January to September 2025, 69,052 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) were released through paralegal assistance, 84,926 benefited from good conduct and time allowance (GCTA), and 27,826 received Time Allowance for Study, Teaching, and Mentoring (TASTM). Additionally, over 21,000 PDLs are currently enrolled in formal education ranging from elementary to senior high school levels.
The Chief Justice urged summit stakeholders to establish long-term structural policies and legislative reforms to permanently address prison and jail overcrowding. He emphasized that overcrowded facilities strain government resources, compromise the health of PDLs, and hinder rehabilitation efforts. Moreover, prolonged detention of PDLs awaiting trial undermines public confidence in the justice system and weakens the rule of law.
Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida, addressing the summit, outlined the Department of Justice's decongestion strategies, including Department Circular (DC) No. 11, which allows for a bail reduction by 50 percent or up to PHP10,000, whichever is lower. This circular led to the release of 42,000 accused individuals after posting reduced bail.
Vida also noted that DC No. 8, issued in 2023, directs prosecutors to withdraw or recommend the dismissal of cases with insufficient evidence for conviction, resulting in the withdrawal or dismissal of over 5,000 criminal cases. DC No. 15 in 2024 introduced reforms such as enhancing prosecutors' roles in case buildup and raising the standard of proof for filing cases to prima facie evidence with a reasonable certainty of conviction.
Furthermore, more than 38,000 drug-related cases were resolved under DC No. 3 issued in 2024, which provides guidelines for plea bargaining in drug-related offenses.
Department of Justice Undersecretary Deo Marco, in a press briefing, mentioned that the summit provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange best practices for prison and jail decongestion. However, he acknowledged that significant efforts are still required to achieve zero congestion rates.
BJMP spokesperson Supt. Jayrex Joseph Bustinera affirmed that the government continues to address jail shortages and mitigate severe overcrowding.
