Over 1,000 inmates at the Correctional Institution for Women petitioned for missing funds totaling up to P7 million. The Commission on Human Rights rejected a joint investigation with the Bureau of Corrections, maintaining its constitutional independence while monitoring the case.
An internal financial controversy at the Correctional Institution for Women has drawn formal scrutiny from both prison administrators and human rights monitors. More than 1,000 inmates signed a petition demanding the return of missing funds ranging from P6 million to P7 million. The contested money originated from personal savings and family remittances deposited within the facility. The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said it never dismissed the need for a separate inquiry concerning missing funds at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW).
Correctional Institution for Women Inmates Demand Return of Missing Funds
The petition highlights unrest among the incarcerated population over the handling of their private financial accounts. The missing sums, built up through outside remittances from loved ones and individual inmate savings, represent lifelines inside the penal facility. Bureau of Corrections officials have acknowledged the situation, launching an internal inquiry to trace where the funds went and who authorized their movement. The CHR requested the meeting to determine whether it needed to conduct its own investigation into the controversy.
To prevent potential interference, Bureau of Corrections officials placed several employees and administrative personnel allegedly linked to the missing money on floating status. Assistant Secretary Al Perreras, serving as the Deputy Director General for Administration, represented Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. during high-level discussions and promised transparency throughout the disciplinary process. Perreras also invited the CHR to participate in the investigation, saying BuCor had nothing to hide, and assured CHR officials that they could visit CIW and other BuCor-operated prisons and penal farms at any time.
“The axe will fall because we do not want the changes we have started in BuCor to go to waste because of this incident. We will get to the bottom of this without fear or favor,”
Assistant Secretary Al Perreras, Bureau of Corrections Deputy Director General for Administration
Commission on Human Rights Asserts Independence and Declines Joint Inquiry
During a Sept. 1 meeting between representatives from the Commission on Human Rights, the Bureau of Corrections, and the women’s correctional facility, officials discussed how to approach the unfolding scandal. While prison leadership invited human rights investigators to participate directly in their probe, Dumarpa said the CHR had acknowledged BuCor’s internal probe and turned down a proposal for a joint investigation, asserting its constitutional independence.
“The Commission remains fully committed to determining the facts and undertaking appropriate action within the bounds of our mandate — independently and without external interference,”
Faydah Maniri Dumarpa, CHR Commissioner
CHR Commissioner Faydah Maniri Dumarpa formally communicated this stance to Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. via letter. At the same time, the human rights agency called on prison administrators to provide unhindered access to institutional records and financial documents.
“The Commission expressed hope that this openness would translate into tangible cooperation — including the prompt release of pertinent records, unimpeded access to information and other forms of assistance necessary for the CHR to discharge its constitutional duties,” Dumarpa said. “The Commission shall continue to exercise its mandate independently, in full fidelity to the Constitution and with an unwavering focus on justice and accountability,”
Faydah Maniri Dumarpa, CHR Commissioner
Monitoring, Transparency, and Next Steps for Institutional Oversight
Investigators with the human rights commission noted that Kindipan said the commission had received no formal complaint against the CIW and was acting only on anonymous reports. Officials stated that no human rights violation had been established at this point, noting that BuCor had launched an investigation and placed officials and employees allegedly involved on floating status to prevent them from influencing the probe.
“There may be a violation only if there is inaction. For now, we will monitor the case, request updates, and make recommendations regarding the system for handling PDL funds,”
Kindipan, Commission on Human Rights representative
Bureau of Corrections leadership has assured oversight personnel that penal farms and correctional facilities remain open for inspection at any time. Once the internal inquiry concludes, administrative and criminal charges will be filed against those found responsible for the missing funds. In the interim, the human rights agency continues to monitor the case, request updates, and make recommendations regarding the system for handling persons deprived of liberty (PDL) funds.
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