"The jail populations for the year recorded an increase in various months due to the number of drug-related cases in the country as well as the court's slow [action] or inaction on the pending cases caused by lack of judges, postponement of hearings, and the slow disposition of criminal cases that carry the penalty of reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment. Detainees who are below poverty line cannot afford to post bail so they were [stuck in jail]," COA said.