DOJ provides free legal, medical services to women PDL

Philippine News Agency

FREE LEGAL AID. Justice Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez (center) leads the provision of free legal and medical services to women inmates at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City on Dec. 6, 2024. The activity was organized by the DOJ Action Center. (Photo: Department of Justice – Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – As the Christmas season beckons, the Department of Justice (DOJ) took the lead in advocating the “spirit of generosity” to those in dire need through a free legal and medical mission to women persons deprived of liberty (PDL) at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City on Friday.

According to a news release Monday, more than 300 women PDL, mostly elderly and sickly, benefitted from the activity spearheaded by the DOJ Action Center (DOJAC) in partnership with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Rizal-San Juan-Mandaluyong chapter headed by lawyer Jam Ibanez; Legal Aid Society of the Philippines led by lawyer Joseph Migrino; and volunteer paralegals from the Philippine Law School.

Aside from legal services, the group “Kababaihan” (women) provided free medical and diagnostic testing with a team of doctors, nurses and interns.

In observance of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW), the women PDL also attended a lecture on women empowerment conducted by lawyers Tina De Guzman and Fofo Fernandez.

“As we approach the culmination of this very meaningful 18-Day Campaign against VAW, I call on everyone to be at the forefront in delivering our women from all forms of injustice and at the same time recognizing their crucial role as decision and policy makers necessary for nation-building. Women of today are as competitive as men, the need of our society,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a statement.

“Real justice is never confined within the boundaries of law. Instead, it is always extended with utmost compassion until it touches the hearts of people especially those who have less in life.”

The activity is part of the “Katarungan” (justice) caravan overseen by DOJAC under the supervision of Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez. (PR)