MANILA, Philippines — Thousands of inmates in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) die every year due to various ailments, the medical chief of the state penitentiary told a Senate inquiry yesterday.

At the continuation of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearings into corruption in the penal system, Dr. Ernesto Tamayo said about 20 percent of the prison’s 26,000 inmates die annually.

Upon questioning from Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Tamayo said among the top causes of deaths are pulmonary tuberculosis and dehydration.

He said some inmates also die from stab wounds during riots.

The committee, chaired by Sen. Richard Gordon, is investigating the alleged corruption in the implementation of the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law where inmates may be freed based on good behavior.

The probe also included corruption in the provision of meals to inmates that allegedly included monthly payoffs to top officials of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), forcing caterers to provide subpar food to the prison population.

Hontiveros lamented the lack of nutritious meals for inmates, contributing to their poor health and even death.

She noted the Philippine prison system has the highest congestion rate in the world at 605 percent.

Hontiveros also urged the Professional Regulation Commission to revoke the license of NBP Hospital medical officer Ursicio Cenas, who was accused of receiving money from convicts in exchange for hospitalization.

Cenas denied the allegations.

“A hospital is not a vacation house for convicted drug lords and other unrepentant criminals. While these drug lords enjoy perks and preferential treatment, other inmates die from a lack of medical care, which could otherwise be given to them. Instead of making our correctional facilities places for reforming convicts, this system has been turned on its head to satisfy shameless greed,” Hontiveros said.

Angelina Bautista, a private caterer that once supplied food to the BuCor, testified on her experience in dealing with prison officials.

She cited an instance where BuCor legal officer Frederic Anthony Santos would be paid P50,000 in notarial services.

She also said her P21-million catering contract was rescinded for no justifiable reason just days after she won the bid to supply meals last August.

Santos admitted receiving money for notarial services from Bautista but explained the amount was in proportion to the contract.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon described Santos’ actions was at the very least “inappropriate.”

“You could not avoid the perception that you are receiving a gift at the very least or that is a shakedown,” Drilon said.

Bautista said she won the bid to provide meals to inmates at the Correctional Institute for Women at P39 per person per day or about P13 per meal.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said there should be unspent money since the BuCor has P1.029-billion budget for food at P60 per inmate per day in the national budget. – With Evelyn Macairan