Alvarez: NBP convicts’ ‘immunity from suit’ is limited

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez explains the immunity from suit the House of Representatives grants to New Bilibid Prison (NBP) convicts only relates to their testimonies in the investigation on illegal drug trade.

Alvarez says, the immunity does not have anything to do the their criminal cases.

He adds, there are no privileges or agreements forged between government and the convicts in exchange for the prisoners' participation in the House hearing.

Alvarez says, when the House Committee on Justice prepares its report, it will avoid recommending prosecutions against any persons implicated in illegal drug trade.

He says, the document will only state the measures that must be enacted or the revisions needed to existing laws so that the rampant drug operations in the country’s prison system will stop.