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MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has ruled that a detainee cannot be imprisoned beyond the maximum penalty for their offense.

The Supreme Court made the ruling in a decision penned by Association Justice Mario Lopez, after the high court affirmed the conviction of a certain Jovelyn Antonio for qualified theft but ordered her immediate release due to the service of her sentence.

Antonio, whose penalty was 10 years and eight months in prison, was detained on Nov. 24, 2011 but remained incarcerated for almost 12 years.

READ: 126 inmates released on Independence Day 2024

According to the SC, under Article 89 paragraph 2 of the Revised Penal Code, criminal liability is extinguished by service of the sentence.

“The Court emphasized that the power of the courts to commit prisoners carries with it the duty to immediately release them in case of detention for a period equivalent to or longer than the maximum imposable penalty,” the SC information office said, citing the decision.

“This is consistent with the principles under the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners or the Nelson Mandela Rules, which provide that ‘purposes of a sentence of imprisonment or similar measures derivative of a person’s liberty are primarily to protect society against crime and to reduce recidivism,’” it added.

Such, said the SC, can only be achieved if the period of imprisonment “is used to ensure, so far as possible, the reintegration of such persons into society upon release so that they can lead a law-abiding and self-supporting life.”

Due to this, the High Court ordered Antonio’s immediate release, unless held for another cause.

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