Claudio Teehankee Jr.’s release from the New Bilibid Prison (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 10/7/08; read story) is ridiculous, given the fact that he was convicted of murder, homicide and frustrated murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. At the time of his release, Teehankee had been in prison for only 14 years.

According to Supt. Ramon Reyes of the New Bilibid Prison, Teehankee was freed based on good conduct time allowance (GCTA) that every prisoner is entitled to for good behavior.

Under the GCTA, a prisoner may avail himself of a deduction of five days each month during the first two years of imprisonment; eight days each month in the third through the fifth year of imprisonment; 10 days each month in the sixth through the 10th year; and 15 days each month in the 11th year and onward.

After 14 years in prison, Teehankee’s GCTA total is only 1,728 days or an equivalent of four years and eight months computed as follows: for the first two years—24 months times five days deduction for every month equals 120 days; for third through fifth year (three years)—36 months times 8 days deduction for every month equals 288 days; for the sixth through 10th year (five years)—60 months times 10 days deduction for every month equals 600 days; for the 11th year through 14th year (four years)—48 months times 15 days deduction for every month equals 720 days.

If we add 120 + 288 + 600 + 720 days, the total is 1,728 days—an equivalent of four years and eight months.

Our advice to the Board of Pardons and Parole, revise the way you compute the GCTA. To justify your action relative to rich convicts like Teehankee, make it one year deduction per month of good behavior.

ABELARDO R. GALLARDO (via email)