The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has a new acting chief in Jail Chief Supt. Ruel Rivera, the erstwhile deputy chief of administration, replacing Director Allan Iral who opted to go on a light duty status (LDS) four months before his mandatory retirement.

The newly-appointed BJMP acting chief vowed to continue with the same programs initiated by his predecessor that benefited both the persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) the bureau supervises and the BJMP workforce.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. expressed his full support to the newly installed acting chief of the BJMP.

“I am confident that you have the competence, Gen. Ruel (Rivera), and the ability to lead the BJMP in ensuring the vision of the Bureau to efficient and effective implementation of the J.A.I.L. (Journey for Advancement, Innovation, and Long-term Development Plan 2040),” Abalos said.

Abalos also prodded Rivera to continue strengthening the rehabilitation programs of the jail bureau, especially for the PDLs facing drug charges.

A member of the Patnubay Class of 1995, Rivera received his degree in Public Safety from the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA).

He pursued a master degree in public administration at the Batangas State University, and acquired doctorate units in philosophy on educational management at the University of Rizal System.

In his 28 years in public service, Rivera held several critical designations in the BJMP.

A field officer by heart, Rivera rose the ranks starting as a warden of the municipal, city and district jails, most notably as the steward of Manila City Jail in 2011 where he introduced the concept of PDL records digitization and pioneered the e-Dalaw System, the first electronic visitation system which enabled families and friends of PDL to converse with their detained relatives via digital means.

He also occupied posts in various regional offices as a staff officer, regional chief of directorial staff and assistant regional director until his eventual promotion to BJMP-MIMAROPA director from 2013 to 2014.

Rivera also became the national Headquarters chief of the finance service office, director for investigation and prosecution, director for logistics and director for comptrollership before joining the BJMP’s Command Group, the decision-making body of the Jail Bureau where he served as the chief of directorial staff in 2017.

In 2017, Rivera became the BJMP deputy chief for operations and deputy chief for Administration in July 2019, following the assumption of Iral as BJMP chief.