CBCP official: Diokno resignation should lead to reforms in penitentiary

The resignation of Bureau of Corrections Director Ernesto Diokno in the wake of the escapade scandal involving jailed former Batangas Governor Jose Antonio Leviste should lead to reforms in the penitentiary, a Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines official said. CBCP Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care (ECPPC) executive secretary Rodolfo Diamante also called for a new director for the BuCor who can initiate reforms. “We welcome the resignation of Diokno since it will pave the way for the appointment of a new director, who could then initiate the reforms there," Diamante said in an article posted on the CBCP news site. Diokno resigned from his post amid the controversy created by the discovery of the unauthorized trips of Leviste outside the New Bilibid Prison. Diamante also pushed for retired Parole and Probation Administrator Ismael Herradura as a good choice to replace Diokno. “Herradura is a man of integrity and his record as government official is impeccable. He knows the correction pillar and he has the political will to effect change in the system," he said. Meanwhile, Diamante said reforms should not be limited to the changes in the leadership but also in the whole system. He said this is why the establishment of an independent panel that would study the country’s penal system and determine the specific reforms are needed. Diamante added the body should be composed of representatives from non-government organizations, academe, the Justice Department, Department of Interior and Local Government, and faith-based groups. — LBG, GMA News