Press Release
July 11, 2006

PIMENTEL MULLS INCENTIVES TO BUSINESS FIRMS
THAT WOULD HIRE EX-CONVICTS

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Nene Q. Pimentel, Jr. (PDP-Laban) today called on the government and the private sector to adopt measures that would do away with discriminatory practices against ex-convicts in the hiring of workers and make their return to normal life less difficult.

Pimentel said the hiring of ex-convicts in productive employment commensurate to their skills and experience, with the help of the government, private corporations and non-government organizations, should be part and parcel of the reformatory aspect of the countrys prison system.

I believe it is the moral obligation of the government and other social institutions to help prisoners reintegrate themselves into the mainstream of society and become productive citizens upon serving their prison sentences and their eventual release, he said.

Pimentel said he would initiate a legislation that would encourage business firms to hire reformed, and fully-discharged former prisoners by granting the prospective employers incentives like tax breaks.

He said the government should set the example in providing employment to ex-convicts by seeing to it that those who meet the requirements for vacant positions are hired.

By giving jobs and livelihood opportunities to ex-convicts, Pimentel said they would not feel unwanted and alienated, thereby weaning them away from the temptation of going back to a life of lawlessness.

Pimentel lauded the efforts of the University of Perpetual Help Rizal Extension School in providing the inmates at the National Bilibid Prison with opportunities to develop their intellectual and physical skills and to obtain formal education.

The University of Perpetual Help Rizal Extension School was the second, if not the first institution, in the world to offer college degree for inmates inside the prison compound.

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