Inmates will vote in May polls too- BJMP

Kalibo, Aklan –Willing inmates held at the Bureau of Jail Management (BJMP) here can vote in the May 14, 2007 elections.

According to the BJMP here headed by its new Provincial Administrator, Sr. Inspector Edmundo Cortezan, this would be the second time around for inmates who are registered voters of Kalibo to exercise their right of suffrage.

Insp. Benjamin Tulayan of the BJMP said prior to allowing their inmates to vote for the first time in 2004, they consulted the judiciary and other concerned government agencies as to the legality of allowing Kalibonhon inmates to vote and they were given the go signal.

Presently, the BJMP has a total of 123 inmates here, while the Aklan Rehabilitation Center (ARC) operated by the provincial government under Gov. Carlito Marquez has 176.

Seen to vote in the May 2007 elections are some 273,738 Aklanons, based on records at the Provincial COMELEC office here

Meanwhile, the COMELEC has come out with a code of conduct for election officers and employees nationwide to ensure that they will be guided by the highest standard of honesty, impartiality, and transparency in carrying out their task of ensuring honest and orderly elections in May.

The COMELEC is also intending to utilize ROTC cadets all over the country due to the lack of teachers to man the polling places. Consultations and dialogues are currently being done regarding the matter.

Meanwhile, the BJMP and the Aklan Rehabilitation Center (ARC) here are strictly implementing measures in their respective institutions to prevent inmates from escaping, as what has happened in some parts of the country.

In a radio interview, both BJMP Provincial Administrator Edmundo Cortezan and ARC Provincial Warden Cristito Angub said their personnel are alert and on constant lookout as to signs of unrest or trouble in their respective buildings, both located in Nalook, Kalibo, Aklan.

Sr. Insp. Cortezan said that in Aklan, their building is very secured and most often, high profile detainees, involving cases of drug trafficking and murder, are remitted to them. However, he said it is the courts that decide where to remit the inmates. This was also echoed by ARC Provincial Warden Angob, who stressed it is up to the courts to decide whether to remit the detainees to the BJMP or the ARC.

To fully eliminate the risk of escapes, Col. Angub said the provincial government here under Governor Carlito Marquez is presently constructing the perimeter fence of the ARC.

Presently, inmates at the BJMP have a daily budget of P40.00 each, while those at the ARC have P30.00 each.

To help the inmates earn money while inside the rehabilitation center, Col. Angob said they (inmates) are allowed to cultivate vegetable gardens inside the compound. Some inmates also take care of pigs inside to augment their income, and those who are skilled carpenters engaged in furniture making.

At the BJMP, inmates avail of training from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on practical electricity, appliances repair and other skills so when they get released from detention, they can use these as their means of livelihood.

Currently, the BJMP houses 133 inmates while the ARC houses 176. (PIA/VGVillanueva)