1,058 inmates released under BuCor, total freed since Marcos exceeds 20,600

On Monday, March 31, 2025, a total of 1,058 individuals were released from various prisons and penal farms across the Philippines under the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), bringing the cumulative number of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) freed since President Marcos assumed office in 2022 to over 20,600.

Among those released this month, 747 had served their jail terms; 159 were granted parole; 112 were acquitted of criminal charges; 21 were granted probation; 18 had petitions for habeas corpus granted by the courts; and one was turned over to the court.

Justice Undersecretary Deo Marco, representing Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, led a culminating event at BuCor headquarters in Muntinlupa City on Monday for 188 of the released PDLs, encouraging them to set ambitious goals and prove their worth in society.

Marco emphasized the importance of embracing second chances and resilience against societal stigma, urging newly freed individuals to rebuild their lives positively with a renewed sense of purpose.

He advised: 'Kahit may stigma, dapat tuluy-tuloy lang, mag set ng goals at mag focus. Huwag hayaan na na yung nakaraang ang mag define ng inyong pagkatao (Even if there's a stigma, life goes on, set goals and be focused. Don't let the past define your character).'