Malacañang has directed the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to address deficiencies in equipment and facilities affecting CCTV monitoring in jails.
The directive came after disclosures during a Sandiganbayan hearing that several CCTV cameras at the New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory were not continuously recording due to a shortage of decoders.
As a result, some areas of the facility were left without full CCTV surveillance and monitoring coverage.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said a lack of equipment should not be used as an excuse for jail personnel to neglect or fail in carrying out their duties.
Castro stressed the importance of ensuring that correctional facilities maintain adequate security measures and operational standards despite logistical limitations.
Meanwhile, columnist Ramon Tulfo withdrew his earlier accusation against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez after admitting that he did not have sufficient evidence to support the claim.
Castro welcomed Tulfo’s admission and described it as a positive example of accountability in public discourse.
She also urged other individuals who have spread false or misleading information to show the same courage by correcting errors and acknowledging their mistakes.
The Palace’s statement comes amid continuing calls for greater transparency, accountability, and improved security measures within the country’s jail system.