Volunteer lawyers aid qualified PDLs
The screening focused on determining the legal remedies available to each inmate and identifying those requiring immediate legal representation before the courts.
The screening focused on determining the legal remedies available to each inmate and identifying those requiring immediate legal representation before the courts.
The Department of Justice Action Center (DoJAC) has expanded legal assistance for qualified persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) to bridge the gap between inmates eligible for release and the legal representation needed to secure their freedom and pursue other available remedies.
The legal aid initiative was conducted under the Department of Justice’s Katarungan Caravan through a Legal Aid Desk specifically organized for PDLs who had been assessed and verified as potentially eligible for release but lacked lawyers to pursue the necessary court proceedings.
The initiative forms part of the government’s continuing efforts to ease jail congestion and ensure access to legal representation for inmates seeking release.
The program was carried out in partnership with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines–Pasig, Pateros, Mandaluyong and San Juan Chapter, the Legal Aid Society of the Philippines, volunteer lawyers from the University of Santo Tomas, and with the support of Justice Undersecretary Margarita N. Gutierrez.
Volunteer law students from Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the Philippines, under the supervision of DoJAC personnel led by Atty. Linn Dantes, conducted the initial case assessments and evaluations.
The screening focused on determining the legal remedies available to each inmate and identifying those requiring immediate legal representation before the courts.
After the evaluation, DoJAC Program Director ASP Joan Carla Guevara matched qualified PDLs with volunteer lawyers who agreed to provide legal assistance and representation.
Participating inmates also signed Qualified Beneficiary Affidavits to ensure continued pro bono legal representation even after the activity concluded.
DoJAC said the legal services rendered, along with the continuing representation of PDL clients, would be credited under the Unified Legal Aid Service program.
More than 150 inmates were evaluated and assisted during the activity, while about 60 PDLs were referred to volunteer lawyers for further legal action and formal endorsement by DoJAC.
The DoJ credited the initiative’s success to the collaboration among government agencies, volunteer lawyers, law students, partner organizations and Bureau of Corrections personnel.
