What Is the Definition of “reclusion Perpetua”?
“Reclusion perpetua,” or “permanent imprisonment,” is a crime sentence similar to life imprisonment. It is used in the Philippines. A person sentenced to reclusion perpetua must serve a jail term of at least 30 years and face additional penalties.
According to the “Revised Penal Code” of the Philippines, there are several distinctions between life imprisonment and reclusion perpetua. A person sentenced to reclusion perpetua must serve 30 years of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole. During a life sentence, the imprisoned person can apply for parole at any time. Those serving a reclusion perpetua sentence can never become eligible to run for public office, while those serving life imprisonment are allowed to do so. Reclusion perpetua is one step below the death penalty in the Philippines sentencing system.