About 14 members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Negros Occidental Chapter provided free legal consultation to 30 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the San Carlos City District Jail Nov. 13.
The “Libre Konsulta Legal” was coordinated with the San Carlos City Hall of Justice and the local government of San Carlos, in support to the Pagkalinga sa Kapwa project of the Office of the Court Administrator of the Supreme Court.
Presiding Judge Amy Avellano of the San Carlos City Regional Trial Court Branch 58 said the project was organized in line with Judgment Week, when decisions on cases pending for a long time will be hastened.
Avellano added that jail visitation and medical consultation are also part of the project, aimed at caring for the PDLs, who are away from their loved ones.
She said she hopes that the PDLs would feel at ease during court hearings, or when Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) lawyers visit them.
Atty. Josephine Maria Natalaray, IBP Negros Occidental Chapter president, said the Libre Konsulta Legal is an institutional project of their organization, aimed at listening to the legal problems of the PDLs and giving them advice.
Natalaray added in a city press release that they believe in restorative justice, and if there’s a chance to help PDLs start anew and let them become better citizens of the community, then the IBP will be there to help.
Retired judge and current City Administrator, Atty. Estefanio Libutan Jr., thanked the lawyers for coming to San Carlos despite their hectic schedule to provide free legal services to the PDLs.
Libutan is hoping the IBP activity becomes a yearly event since the PDLs need it due to lack of lawyers from the PAO and private agencies. He assured that the city government will always support such activity.
Jail warden, Chief Inspector Felix Sariana of the San Carlos City District Jail, thanked the lawyers for this noble project that could help decongest the jail. He said the district jail houses 418 PDLs.
Sariana also lauded the strong support of the city government and urged the PDLs not to waste the chance given by the government and to start the change within themselves.
Gerry Llena, IBP Negros Occidental Chapter vice president, and Atty. Juniven Rey Umadhay, BJMP VI regional prosecutor, were also present during the Libre Konsulta Legal, with third year practicing law students from the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City also in attendance. ||
