00:00 The lower house convened today for the discussion of the proposed budget of the Department of
00:04 Justice for fiscal year 2024.
00:07 During the session, the possibility of reshuffling in the Bureau of Corrections came up following
00:11 the escape of inmate Michael Cataroja from custody.
00:15 Melales Morris has the full story.
00:19 The Department of Justice is now considering the implementation of another reshuffle in
00:24 the Bureau of Corrections following the case of believed inmate Michael Cataroja who managed
00:30 to sleep out of the country's main penitentiary recently, although re-arrested eventually.
00:35 According to DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin De Mulya, it is evident that there are negligence
00:40 and loopholes in the system that they are now fixing.
00:43 We are dismantling the coffins now.
00:46 Do you know what that is?
00:49 Inside?
00:50 We can see the congestion, it's also caused by special privileges given to people.
00:55 You can see the loopholes inside.
00:58 Actually, we might have a ground two reshuffling.
01:01 Bucor Chief Gregorio Catapang Jr. said the investigation on Cataroja is still ongoing.
01:08 We lied to the detector, Cataroja, but he passed.
01:14 His statements are conflicting.
01:20 The Board of Inquiry has not yet filed a final report.
01:23 So it's either connivence or negligence what happened there.
01:29 Both Secretary De Mulya and General Catapang went to the House of Representatives today
01:34 for the deliberations of the proposed budget of the DOJ for 2024.
01:39 Compared to their current funding, the proposed budget of the agency this year is higher
01:44 which amounts to more than P34 billion.
01:47 Apart from the issues on budget, matters about the welfare of persons deprived of liberty,
01:52 anti-illegal drugs campaign of the government, issues on the West Philippine Sea,
01:56 and DOJ's modernization were also brought up.
02:00 We have efforts to digitize the whole justice system.
02:03 In fact, we were the first one to have a Chief Technology Officer appointed in the DOJ.
02:08 Although the Justice Department is facing various issues,
02:11 when it comes to budget utilization, they got a round of applause from the lawmakers.
02:16 This is our second week of budget hearings.
02:20 So far, you have the highest budget utilization rate.
02:25 This is all the more noteworthy because as you know,
02:30 second quarter of 2023, government spending contracted by 7%.
02:36 So all the more we need to commend the DOJ.
02:39 So sir, keep it up.
02:40 Keep it up.
02:41 - Melis Moras for The Nation.
