phrase for “Justice for All,” has guided the operations of the Department of Justice (DoJ) for over a century. It reminds Filipinos of the department’s illustrious beginnings and its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring fairness in the legal system.

On 26 September 1898, the DoJ was established through an Executive Act under General Emilio Aguinaldo’s Philippine revolutionary government, laying the foundation for the administration of justice in the newly independent nation.

As the government’s lead legal agency, the DoJ ensures fair and compassionate justice through its five pillars: law enforcement, prosecution, community, judiciary and corrections.

Since its establishment, it has been instrumental in shaping vital legal frameworks and precedents that have impacted the country’s judicial landscape. It has bolstered its reputation as a cornerstone of the legal framework, where justice is not just an abstract concept but a tangible and accessible reality for every member of society.

Today, the DoJ family, led by Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, is celebrating its 127th anniversary. This is an excellent opportunity to reflect on the department’s journey toward legal excellence and its crucial role in shaping the legal framework under the Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines) for future generations.

Real Time Justice

For many years, three significant issues have hounded the DoJ: court congestion, jail congestion, and the importance of human rights in criminal justice administration.

The department has increased the number of reviewed Parole and Executive Clemency petitions through a streamlined process, leading to the release of thousands of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL). From July 2022 to March 2024, the DoJ released 11,940 PDLs after a diligent review of their prison records. This reduced prison overcrowding by 39 percent, from 1,305 percent on 1 July 2022, to 239 percent last May.