MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is poised to tap the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into the alleged “hospital referral pass for sale” scheme inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

“We will ask NBI to investigate and do a case build-up regarding the hospital pass for sale,” Justice Undersecretary for Correctional System Deo Marco told reporters on Monday.

The NBI is an attached agency of DOJ.

Reports revealed that NBP inmates have managed to get out of jail by pretending to be sick and securing a “hospital referral pass” from BuCor employees. By possessing the pass, they could be transferred to the NBP hospital and away from the congested jails.

The “hospital referral pass for sale” was revealed at a time when the implementation and computation of the good conduct time allowance (GCTA) for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) are being reviewed and investigated. /kga