Bersamin says SC is open to tackling GCTA Law petition

Supreme Court Justice Lucas Bersamin said that Supreme Court is open to accept any petition that will be filed in connection with the controversial good conduct time allowance (GCTA) law.

The top magistrate on Wednesday noted that it will still “depend whether the issue is premature or not justiciable.”

“Hindi ako mangunguna kasi (I will not presume because) it depends on the crafting of the petition whether the SC can exercise its jurisdiction toward a particular matter,” Bersamin added.

He assured that if a “justiciable controversy” was proven in a petition regarding GCTA then the court is ready to discuss it in order to provide clarity for everyone.

Meanwhile, Bersamin clarified that GCTA law was made retroactive only on the petition of Bilibid inmates who contested the Aquino-time implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

The GCTA saga continued as the public sparked outcry after 2,000 high profile inmates were freed by granting them good conduct time allowance.

This came after reports surfaced that rape-murder convict and former Calauan, Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez is expected to be released from prison.

Sanchez was convicted on March 11, 1995 over the rape-slay case of Aileen Sarmienta and murder of Allan Gomez. He was sentenced to 7 counts of reclusion perpetua or 40 years imprisonment.

(With reports from Bombo Jerald Ulep)