ACT-CIS Partylist Representative and Senatorial Candidate Erwin Tulfo on Sunday once again met with families of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) who are part of the AID DALAW Nationwide Movement to discuss the perennial concerns of inmates.
The issues raised by AID DALAW members include overstaying, the slow process of release, and the lack of medical assistance for PDLs, among others.
“Once elected to the Senate, we will file an inquiry in aid of legislation to ensure that the matters you raise are heard by the government,” Tulfo told the families of PDLs.
He added, “We will examine and consult the agencies concerned with PDLs’ welfare so we can craft the appropriate mechanisms to improve the situation of your loved ones.”
According to the group, aside from their own imprisoned loved ones, thousands of PDLs across the country continue to suffer from prolonged detention despite having already completed their respective sentences.
One member of the group shared that her spouse, despite having served the required sentence, is still in jail. She has had to go back and forth to the courts to seek remedy.
Another member, a former PDL, said that despite serving his full sentence, he had to secure a writ of habeas corpus before he was finally released after years of overstaying.
“There are thousands of families, including children, who are being given false hopes that their imprisoned loved ones will finally be released—but due to alleged bottlenecks in the review process, this doesn’t happen,” the lawmaker emphasized.
“I assure you that we will address these issues and investigate the implementation of relevant laws,” he added.
It can be recalled that in December 2024, AID DALAW members sought Tulfo’s help on various issues concerning PDLs.The group is composed of more than 1,200 members, most of whom are families of PDLs from maximum-, minimum-, and medium-security prisons, as well as penal colonies across the country.
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