The National Privacy Commission emphasized that the Data Privacy Act should not be a justification not to publish the details of the death of high-profile inmate Jaybee Sebastian.
“High-profile inmates like JB Sebastian had become public figures on account of their previous association with particular national issues in the past,” NPC Commissioner Raymund Liboro pointed out.
“There is a justified public interest to release information like details surrounding the deaths from COVID-19 of these high-profile inmates, especially when the personal information being sought is linked to issues already on the minds of the public,” Liboro further explained.
Justice Secretary has agreed with the statement of Liboro, but cautioned “it may be prudent to await the results of the NBI investigation first” regarding the eight others who have been serving their sentence at the time of death.
The Data Privacy Act is the law which BuCor Director General Gerald Bantag cited as the reason for not immediately confirming the death of Sebastian inside the national penitentiary. After Guevarra and Bantag’s meeting on Monday, the DOJ eventually confirmed that Sebastian died along with eight other high-profile inmates. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has been tasked by the justice department to probe the matter and dispel public doubt.
“We have instructed the BuCor to ensure the presence of a DOH representative during the conduct of swab tests within their facilities and to exert greater efforts to immediately notify the members of deceased inmates’ families prior to cremation,” Guevarra said.
Meanwhile, Guevarra assured the death of Sebastian will not affect the prosecution of cases against Senator Leila de Lima since he is “only one in an array of witnesses.” – Report from Kenneth Paciente
