Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla inspected the Pasay City Jail on Thursday in preparation for the possible detention of around 200 government employees implicated in the multi-billion-peso flood control scandal.
RH Jecelle Ricafort reported on DZRH's Rapido Hataw Balita during the inspection, Pasay City Jail Warden JSupt. Alberto R. Tapiru Jr. briefed Remulla on the facility’s current condition and showed the detention areas that may soon house the accused individuals allegedly involved in the massive corruption scheme.
According to Remulla, government employees with a salary grade of 26 and below — including district engineers of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) — will be detained at regular jail facilities if criminally charged.
He clarified that cases involving these personnel will be tried before the Regional Trial Court (RTC), not the Sandiganbayan, which handles higher-ranking officials.
Remulla emphasized that there will be no special treatment for the accused. He noted that cellphones, laptops, and air-conditioning units will not be allowed inside the jail.
He emphasized that whoever steals ₱100 should experience the same treatment as someone who stole hundreds of millions.
Remulla added that the government will not establish a separate detention facility outside Metro Manila, noting that they wanted the process to remain transparent and for the public, especially the media, to be able to witness the actual conditions of those who will be detained.
Currently, the Pasay City Jail houses 931 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), despite having a maximum capacity of only 103. Around 70 or more detainees are crammed into each of its 10 cells, highlighting the severe overcrowding problem in the country’s detention facilities.
The inspection comes amid ongoing investigations into alleged large-scale anomalies in infrastructure projects across the country.
As of now, no individuals have been detained in connection with the flood control scandal.
