Katarungan Caravan for PDLs: A Day of Service, Reality, and Hope
On April 30, 2026 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, the Katarungan Caravan for Persons Deprived of Liberty was held at the New Bilibid Prison Minimum Security under the Bureau of Corrections, led by the Department of Justice Action Center. It gathered volunteer lawyers, law students, and different law organizations who all came together with one shared purpose, to help.
The day started with an orientation conducted by Margarita N. Gutierrez. Listening to her made everything feel real. We were not just volunteers for the day, we were part of something bigger. Most of us were first timers and honestly, we did not know exactly what to expect or what we would feel once we got inside.
The Minimum Security Compound of New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa is home to PDLs who are considered low risk or are nearing the end of their sentence. Many of them have spent decades there. Some even grew old within those walls. Life there is quieter compared to other facilities. Some are given the chance to study or continue their education to help reduce their sentence through the Good Conduct Time Allowance. But even with these opportunities, you can still feel the weight of time in that place.
Most of the PDLs we encountered were already senior citizens. Some could barely walk. Some were blind. Some were persons with disabilities. And yet, they lined up, holding on to the small chance that maybe, just maybe, someone would listen to them that day.
The Katarungan Caravan became that space. We assisted them in their applications for clemency, pardon, sentence recomputation, and other legal remedies. The forms we handled were only three pages long, but behind every page was a life story, a regret, a hope. It was never just paperwork. It was their chance to be heard.
As we sat down with them, listened to their stories, and read their printed records, something shifted. At first, we were unsure of ourselves. But slowly, it felt natural. Being there, listening, explaining, guiding them through the process, it felt like we were giving even a small light in a place that has seen too much waiting.
There were moments when it became hard to stay composed. Some of them asked for help with so much emotion. We reminded ourselves that what they are going through is a consequence of their actions, but at the same time, you cannot ignore the human side of it. Especially for the elderly, those who are sick, those who can no longer even take care of themselves, you silently wish that they will be granted clemency soon. Not to erase what they did, but to allow them to have a more dignified end, outside those walls.
While I was assisting and filling out forms with my partner lawyer, one thought kept coming back to me. Our actions matter more than we think. One wrong decision can change everything. Being there made that truth heavier and more real.
Despite coming from different law schools and organizations, everyone there shared the same mission, to help. It was inspiring to see how people from different backgrounds could come together for one cause.
From JRCLS, the attendees were
Atty. Nephi Obero
Vj Porte, Law Student
Atty. Regino Pamittan
Atty. Julienne V. Dela Pieza
Laurel S. Vesliño, Law Student
The Katarungan Caravan is more than just a legal activity. It is a reminder that justice is not only about punishment. It is also about understanding, second chances, and humanity.
For the PDLs, it was a day of hope.
For us, it was a day of realization.
And somewhere in between, it became a day we will never forget.
