Atty. Domingo Cayosa, former president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, believes that the proposed 'writ of kalayaan' could help address the issue of jail congestion in the Philippines.
Cayosa described the current condition of the prison system in the Philippines as 'inhumane' due to the overcrowding of inmates in prison.
"Meron kasi probisyon sa ating Constitution na bawal yung inhumane penalty or punishment para sa kung sinuman ang nagkasala," Cayosa explained on Tuesday, December 20, during DZRH's Magandang Umaga Pilipinas.
"Yung preso that is a humane way of punishing. Kaya lang, dahil sa realidad na sobrang kakaunti ang ating preso at yung ating mga prisoners ay parang sardinas na," he added.
Cayosa said that the writ of kalayaan, a suggestion made by Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, allows the immediate release, whether temporary or permanent, of a detainee for 'special circumstances'.
"Halimbawa meron na siyang malubhang kalagayan sa ating mga kulungan at kinakailangan mailabas para sa emergency medical procedure, iyon pwede ang writ of kalayaan," Cayosa explained.
Cayosa assured that the issuance of writ of kalayaan will not go contradict the laws of the country, including changing the penalties imposed to a convict, crafted by the Philippine Congress.
The lawyer also considers the writ of kalayaan as admittance to the problems faced by the penal system of the Philippines, and urged Congress to act in order to resolve the issues.
