Senate concurs with PHL-UK treaty on transfer of sentenced persons

THE Senate on Monday concurred with the ratification of a treaty between Manila and London, which would allow imprisoned Filipinos in the United Kingdom to serve their sentences in the Philippines.

During a Plenary session, 20 senators voted in favor of Senate Resolution No. 315, which concurs with the ratification of the treaty on the transfer of sentenced persons.

“This treaty will allow Filipinos convicted of crimes in the UK to serve their remaining sentence in the Philippines and facilitate their effective rehabilitation as they will be close to their families and friends, and be with other inmates with whom they share the same language and culture,” Senator Erwin T. Tulfo, who sponsored the resolution, said.

Under the agreement, a prisoner can be transferred back to their home country upon the consent of both governments, and the consent of the prisoner before a transfer can take place.

The treaty states that a sentencing country must authorize the transfer, while the receiving country must agree to enforce the judgment. The prisoner, on the other hand, must provide informed, voluntary consent after being made aware of the transfer conditions.

“The human rights and dignity of each person remain, whether they are inside or outside the prison. Under our Constitution, the government’s protection of a Filipino does not end just because he or she has committed a mistake in another country,” the senator added. — Adrian H. Halili