New IRR Disqualifies Inmates From GCTA

An estimated 50,000 pre-trial detainees in the Philippines have been disqualified from receiving time reduction benefits under the newly revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 10592, or the Good Conduct Time Allowance law.

- Christine Boton, EJ Macababbad

The GCTA became controversial when former Calauan, Laguna mayor Antonio Sanchez, convicted for the murder of University of the Philippines-Los Baños students Eileen Sarmenta and Allan Gomez in 1993, was slated to benefit from the law's provisions.

The issue prompted a revision of the IRR and resulted in the exclusion of heinous crime convicts from its benefits—a move that was challenged before the Supreme Court.