Rights group KARAPATAN expressed support for the call of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) for the immediate return of up to ₱7 million in missing funds entrusted to the facility, as well as their demand to abolish the Trust Fund and cashless system in prisons.
“Paano maibabalik ang perang nawawala? (How can the missing money be returned?)” This is the big question raised by CIW PDLs over the reported disappearance of millions of pesos belonging to them.
In a petition dated August 11, 2026 and signed by more than a thousand PDLs, they demanded the return of their funds, the abolition of the Trust Fund and cashless system, and accountability for those responsible for the missing money. They also called for an end to the overpriced goods and other corruption-riddled practices inside the facility.
In a more recent statement, the PDLs said that despite the Bureau of Corrections’ announcement on the removal of two CIW officials, there remains no concrete answer on how their money will be returned. They also reported difficulties in withdrawing funds and receiving money, now that jail officials are saying there are now “no more money.”
“Di galing sa nakaw ang pera ng mga PDL. Pinaghirapan ng mga pamilya nila ang perang ipinapadala sa kanila. Pinaghihirapan din ito ng mga PDL sa mga maliit na livelihood na ginagawa nila tulad ng paggawa ng handicrafts (This money did not come from stealing. Their families worked hard to earn the money they send to them. The PDLs themselves also work hard to earn money through small-scale livelihood activities, such as making handicrafts),” said Karapatan deputy secretary general Maria Sol Taule.
“Wala pa ring konkretong kasagutan kung paano maibabalik ang pera at magulo pa rin ang sistema ng pagre-release ng mga paabot na pera galing sa dalaw at LBC. Halos dalawang linggo na mula nang maisiwalat ang naturang isyu. Ilang mga nakaraang araw, biglaan ding hina-hold ang withdrawal ng pera. Sa agam-agam ng mga PDL, paubos na ang cash-on-hand sa Trust Fund kung kaya’t pahirapan na ang withdrawal. (There is still no concrete answer as to how the money will be returned, and the system for releasing money sent by visitors and through LBC remains in disarray. It has been almost two weeks since the issue was brought to light. In recent days, withdrawals have also suddenly been put on hold. PDLs are worried that the cash-on-hand in the Trust Fund is running out, making withdrawals increasingly difficult),” the PDLs said.
The PDLs further said the disappearance of their funds shows why they opposed the Trust Fund from the beginning.
“Sa ngayon, ipinakita ng pagkawala ng milyon-milyong pisong pera ng mga PDL na hindi maaasahan o walang trust sa Trust Fund. Hinihiling din nila na direkta nang ibigay sa mga PDL ang mga perang paabot ng kanilang mga dalaw at ang mga perang padala sa LBC. (The disappearance of millions of pesos belonging to PDLs has now shown that the Trust Fund cannot be relied upon and that there is no trust in the system. They are also demanding that money sent by their visitors and through LBC be given directly to the PDLs),” they said.
The Bureau of Corrections launched its “cashless policy” in February 2024, initially pilot-testing it at the New Bilibid Prison Minimum Security Compound and CIW. PDLs in other facilities have since raised complaints over its implementation, including reported protests at the San Mateo Jail, Navotas City Jail, and Negros Occidental District Jail.
KARAPATAN also cited the PDLs’ complaints on overpricing of basic goods in the store inside the CIW. An eggplant is reportedly sold for ₱80 per piece and an uncooked hotdog for ₱23, compared with around ₱9 to ₱10 outside the facility. A 5.3 LPG gas tank (common brand used is Gasulito) is reportedly sold for ₱7,500 inside the CIW.
The store is reportedly managed by Janet Napoles, the so-called “pork barrel scam queen” who is serving a prison sentence in connection with her conviction for corruption-related offenses.
“We have been receiving reports from other jails across the country that overpricing of goods inside detention facilities has become almost a common practice. What is particularly appalling is that the majority of PDLs come from poor families who are already struggling to make ends meet. Their situation becomes even more difficult when they are detained, as their families have to bear the additional costs of supporting them. What should be a place for rehabilitation and reform has instead become a money-making venture for the government,” said Taule.
KARAPATAN has urged the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to conduct an independent investigation into the matter.