The ceremonial release of the PDLs highlights the 5th revisit of SC’s EJOW in the province of Cotabato in partnership with the provincial government headed by Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza during a short program held at the Provincial Capitol, Amas, Kidapawan City.
PDLs include those facing charges, those awaiting trial, and those arbitrarily detained. The SC through EJOW upholds the government’s duty to respect and protect the rights of PDLs following constitutional and international human rights standards.
The PDLs received financial and livelihood assistance, and some goodies from the provincial government and the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office.
Mendoza said she always makes sure the rights of people in the province especially those in jail are protected and will remain supportive of EJOW.
Data showed EJOW started in the province under Mendoza’s leadership in 2012 (86 cases dismissed, 89 PDLs released), 2014 (219 cases disposed, 157 released, 13convicted), 2016 (183 cases heard, 95 PDLs released), and 2018 (690 cases heard and tried, 400 PDLs released).
PDL Rolando (not his true name) said he didn’t expect he will be released in time for the Christmas season. “Dako kaau akong pasalamat ining EJOW sa Supreme Court ug sa provincial government labi na kay Gov. Mendoza kay sa wa damha makauban nako akong pamilya karung Pasko ug Bagong Tuig. Abi nako dili pa karung tuiga ko maapil sa ma release,” he said. According to him he has a wife and three children.
The Pilot Testing of Videoconferencing Bus held in Barangay Basak, Magpet on the same day also highlighted the province’s 5thEJOW. Some witnesses of a certain case were subjected to a court proceeding inside the EJOW bus while the case was being heard at the Regional Trial Court Branch 17 in Kidapawan City in the presence of the suspect.
Supreme Court of the Philippines Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier who represented Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo during the Dialogue Among Stakeholders of the Justice Sector thanked Mendoza’s full support to EJOW. In her talk, she said: "The fact that we are doing it (videoconferencing)here for the first time speaks volumes of how we regarded you as a partner and how we appreciate you as a partner because you are very supportive of the Supreme Court in every project that we do, not merely in terms of time and attendance, but also in terms of funding," Javier said.
She said the SC will continue to roll out EJOW in the province and the rest of the country especially with its new videoconferencing tool.
“EJOW is meant to serve the underserved and underprivileged and remotest barangays; we always give priority to the poor sector,” she said.
Other activities during the 5th EJOW revisit include the burning of drug exhibits and destruction of gambling paraphernalia, turnover of firearms, explosives, and deadly weapons, and free medical, dental services, and legal aid to the PDLs.
Data from the Provincial Legal Office headed by lawyer John Haye Deluvio indicated that the provincial government allocated P2.5 million for the implementation of the 5th EJOW.
The PDLs received financial and livelihood assistance from government. photo Cotabato Province
The Supreme Court's Enhanced Justice on Wheels conducts a pilot testing of its videoconferencing bus as a new tool for its mobile court proceedings. photo Cotabato province
Supreme Court of the Philippines Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier (L) and Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza during the Dialogue Among Stakeholders of the Justice Sector
Seized firearms, explosives, and deadly weapons for turnover as part of the 5th EJOW in North Cotabato
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