With more than 4,000 persons deprived of liberty (DPLs) released in a week alone largely through videoconferencing, Rizal 2nd District Rep. Fidel Nograles promised to fast-track the rollout of more computers in jails to help inmates with their legal consultations.
The Supreme Court revealed recently that 4,683 PDLs were released from April 30 to May 8 through videoconference hearings. 9,731 inmates had so far been released over a period of six weeks through various circulars that the SC had issued to address jail congestion and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019).
“Allowing virtual hearings is certainly a welcome move.”
“Pipilitin po natin na madagdagan pa ang mga computer sa mga kulungan natin sa buong bansa para na rin magkaroon ng access ang mga PDL natin sa tulong legal,” Nograles said.
The Harvard-trained lawyer and legal aid advocate is the founder of Lakbay Hustisya Foundation, a legal aid trust fund organized to support legal aid activities around the Philippines.
Lakbay Hustisya works in partnership with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology for the “e-Dalaw” initiative, where PDLs are able to consult with lawyers despite the suspension of visitation rights in jails.
The group has distributed computers to jails in various areas in Visayas and Mindanao.
Nograles also lauded the Supreme Court for adapting to the circumstances forced by the pandemic.
Earlier this month, the Court, through the Office of the Court Administrator, issued OCA Circular No. 93-2020, which allows for virtual the hearing by courts in extended community quarantine and general community quarantine areas of urgent matters in criminal cases involving PDLs.
“We need all the tools we can use in facing this uncertain future.”
“Everyone is forced to adapt to the extraordinary circumstances we face today, and I’m glad that the SC is not allowing itself nor our courts to be left behind. We need all the tools we can use in facing this uncertain future, and allowing virtual hearings is certainly a welcome move,” said the lawmaker.
Meanwhile, Nograles also agreed with SC Associate Justice Marvic Leonen’s statement that prison congestion is a responsibility shared by the whole of government and not solely by the judiciary.
Leonen, in an online media forum on Sunday, said that the issue of congestion in the country’s prisons and detention centers is the responsibility not only of the SC, but also of local governments, the executive branch, and the legislature.
He added that the Court needs to hear all parties before coming out with a solution that does not violate constitutional rights.
“It is true that this is an issue best addressed by the whole government. And given the urgency, I hope that all parties concerned will be able to convene at the soonest possible time. This is an issue that goes beyond the pandemic; it is rooted at humanitarian considerations and the rehabilitative aspect of our prison systems,” said Nograles.