In line with the principles of the “Bagong Pilipinas” initiative under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, the Department of Justice Action Center (DoJAC) in Region III conducted its inaugural lecture series at Wesleyan University-Philippines (WUP).

The DoJ said the lecture, held at the only law school in Nueva Ecija province, aimed to educate future lawyers and law enforcers on the workings of the criminal justice system.

It was a collaboration between the John Wesley School of Law and Governance (JWSLG), the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Nueva Ecija Chapter, and DoJAC. At least 51 law students and 39 criminology students from WUP participated in the event.

IBP Nueva Ecija president Atty. Maria Carmela Wenceslao, IBP Nueva Ecija Secretary Atty. Jo Anne Florenz Padilla, and JWSLG Associate Dean Atty. Darren J. Gonzales were present.

JWSLG Dean (Ret.) Judge Inocencio B. Sagun Jr. welcomed the attendees and highlighted that one of the lecturers, Atty. Benjamin Earl V. Hernal, and the facilitator, DoJAC Region III Legal Assistant Clarence Antonio V. Hernal, are alumni of JWSLG.

Undersecretary Margarita N. Gutierrez urged the participants to listen attentively and use their voices to build, uplift, and defend others, hoping the endeavor would foster justice for all.

Senior Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Ricardo Atanacio Jr. discussed the fundamentals of Preliminary Investigation and Inquest. The second speaker, Atty. Benjamin Earl V. Hernal, covered key provisions of Republic Act 10175, also known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

DoJAC program director ASP Joan Carla V. Guevarra concluded the program with an overview of the functions and services of DoJAC through an audio-visual presentation.

“As the principal law agency of the government, it is essential on our part to engage and empower our future lawyers and law enforcers to ensure that real justice for all will always be upheld not just today but for future generations,” Remulla said.