MANILA – Prostitution remains rampant inside the walls of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City, according to an employee of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

According to the BuCor staff, who was only identified as “Mak," sex workers are peddled by prison guards to the inmates.

The high-priced sex workers are referred to as “tilapia.”

“[The inmates] pay P2,500 sa mga opisyales sa loob,” said Mak.

Former detainee Rolando Anas, meanwhile, said some sex workers that are not as attractive are called “itik.”

“Kung pangit ang iba, P150 lang,” he said.

The spokesperson for the NBP Richard Shwartzkoph said prison officials are closely monitoring the alleged illegal activity inside the state penitentiary.

“Mayroon siguro pangilan-ngilan, pero binabantayan namin ng maigi,” he said.

Prison officials admitted the existence of prostitution inside prison, but noted that it was only rampant during the previous management.

VIP treatment

Mak also said several high-profile inmates are getting special treatment from the guards.

A surveillance video captured by ABS-CBN News shows murder convict Rolito Go moving freely inside the Bilibid compound.

NBP officials said a living-out privilege was given to Go, which requires him to do chores such as sweeping.

However, the news team, who did surveillance for two weeks, did not see Go do any chores.

Mak also said other prominent inmates like former Batangas governor Antonio Leviste are able to step out of the premises.

BuCor chief Gaudencio Pangilinan disputed the whistleblower’s statements, saying that the BuCor employee could be slapped with sanctions because of his statements.

“Basta kami dito naka-focus kami sa ginagawa namin, hindi kami magpapa-distract sa mga kumakalaban sa atin. He may face administrative sanctions,” said Pangilinan.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, meanwhile, expressed disappointment over the allegations.

“It’s very frustrating and disappointing,” she said.

De Lima said the whistleblower could be called in for questioning as part of the Department of Justice’s investigation on illegal activities inside Bilibid.

BuCor chief charged

Days after exposing alleged irregularities at the National Bilibid Prisons (NBP), prison guard Kabungsuan Yadao Makilala has filed a formal complaint against Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director Gaudencio Pangilinan before the Department of Justice (DOJ) today.

Makilala charged Pangilinan with violation of Republic Act (RA) No. 9184 (Government Procurement Act), "chop chop" procurement, unauthorized cutting of historical trees, unauthorized transfer of inmates, and unauthorized exercise of appointing power.

Makilala filed his 3-page complaint-affidavit assisted by counsel Alan Paguia and Whistleblowers Association president Sandra Cam.

Violation of RA No. 9184

Makilala accused Pangilinan, who was appointed BuCor chief by President Aquino last July 19, of authorizing his chief of staff, Venancio Santidad, to issue a Notice to Proceed for a contract agreement worth P16 million for catering services for inmates at the NBP's minimum security Reception and Diagnostic Center and Muntinlupa Juvenile Therapeutic Center without approval from Justice Secretary Leila De Lima.

The Notice to Proceed for caterer Meyer's Foods and Services, Inc. was supposedly dated Feb. 10, 2012 for a 10-day menu cycle for 1,949 inmates.

Makilala said De Lima's approval was necessary in the transaction because the DOJ exercises direct supervision over the BuCor, the latter being an attached agency.

'Chop chop procurement'

In order to avoid a public bidding for the renovation of the NBP administration building in January, Makilala accused Pangilinan of breaking the P1.42 million project into 4 purchase orders.

"Instead of conducting the required public bidding under RA No. 9184, considering that the project cost exceeds P500,000, Dir. Pangilinan chop-chopped the project into 4 to make it appear under small value procurement without the need of any bidding process," the complaint stated.

The purchase orders were issued on the same date to supplier Dotgain Solutions, Inc., Makilala claimed, with the following 'chop-chopped' amounts: P375,000 (female comfort room repair); P478,000 (Gate 1 dome canopy repair); and to supplier Grand Potential, Inc., the amounts P434,876 (male comfort room repair); and P133,000 (repair of flooring at Assistant Director's Office), respectively.

'Cutting historical trees'

Pangilinan allegedly caused the cutting of some 50 historical trees since October 2011 without  authorization from Secretary De Lima and/or the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

These trees, Makilala claimed, were between 50 - 100 years old.

Annexed to the complaint are photographs of some of these cut trees.

'Unathorized transfer of inmates'

The complaint also alleged that Pangilinan authorized the transfer of 52 inmates from the NBP Compound to Camp General Capinpin, Rizal and Dasmarinas, Cavite without the corresponding judicial authorization of the courts or any clearance from Sec. De Lima.

The transfer supposedly took place on January 19 and February 9. Forty of these inmates were allegedly ordered transferred to Rizal for "work assignment", the others to Cavite for "community services."

Makilala claimed Pangilinan directed NBP Chief Supt. Richard Schwarzkopf, Jr. to implement the transfer.

'Unauthorized exercise of appointing power'

Makilala also accused Pangilinan of usurpation of presidential appointing power when he allegedly appointed one Romeo Fajardo as Assistant Director for Operations.

"Official NBP records show the 'appointee' acting as such Asst. Dir. for Operations," the complaint read.

Two attachments in Makilala's complaint showed Fajardo, acting as "Assistant Director for Operations", signed inmate disposition/release forms dated Sept. 15, 2011 and Sept. 22, 2011, respectively.

Makilala said Fajardo's appointment was illegal because such appointing power is "vested by law in favor of the President of the Philippines."

Threats to life

Makilala said he is determined to see the case through in spite of "threats" he has been receiving through phone calls since his alleged exposes. "Sabi mag-ingat daw ako," he said.

This, he said, is the reason why he is calling on the DOJ to admit him into its Witness Protection Program (WPP).

Makilala is applying for WPP coverage.

He also claimed he still has other revelations about Pangilinan's alleged irregular practices which he will be divulging in due time.

'Malacanan should not intervene'

While all attachments in the complaint are not certified true copies of the supposed documentary evidence, Atty. Paguia said he has no doubt about the veracity of Makilala's claims.

Paguina said he is confident the DOJ will find probable cause against Pangilinan.

Paguia called on Malacañan not to intervene in the case to prove the President does not tolerate wrongdoings by his own appointees.

Pangilinan has yet to receive a copy of the complaint.

In an interview with the ABS-CBN News Channel's (ANC) Headstart, Pangilinan said all these questioned transactions and actions were above-board and that these will be exhaustively explained before the proper forum.

Pangilinan was appointed to the BuCor following the resignation of its former Director, Ernesto Diokno, who figured in a fiasco involving the unauthorized out-of-prison trips of high-profile inmate Antonio Leviste.

Pangilinan, a former military general, was, meantime, absolved of plunder charges by the DOJ in January for "insufficient evidence."

The plunder complaint was filed by former military budget officer George Rabusa against several active and retired military officials and officers in connection with the alleged misuse of public funds. --  ABS-CBN News