Sen. Raffy Tulfo criticized the leadership of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) over what he described as lax regulations in supervising persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), following complaints of irregularities inside detention facilities.

During a Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs session on Wednesday, Tulfo said his office received numerous reports alleging negligence and questionable practices in jails under the BJMP’s management.

He cited the case of a former inmate at the Lapu-Lapu City Jail who reportedly entered detention as an ordinary detainee but left as a millionaire after running a business inside the facility.

According to Tulfo, the former PDL earned large sums by selling phone cards to fellow inmates.

“Pumasok siya as an ordinary guy and he came out of prison as a millionaire. Bakit pinapayagan niyo ang isang PDL na magnegosyo sa loob ng bilangguan ng wantusawa at wala kayong ginagawang regulation?” Tulfo asked during the Senate session.

The former detainee later complained in Tulfo’s radio program that jail authorities refused to convert his accumulated phone card credits into cash after his release.

Tulfo raised concerns that allowing such activities inside jails could enable inmates to engage in illegal operations, including those linked to drug-related offenses, using mobile communication.

Under BJMP policy, each PDL is allowed to contact only up to 10 individuals — five family members and five professionals such as lawyers or doctors — subject to screening by jail authorities.

BJMP official Dennis Rocamora said the agency is already addressing the complaint to prevent a recurrence, not only in Lapu-Lapu City but also in other facilities nationwide.