On BuCor’s reformation and livelihood projects for women PDLs like Mary Jane Veloso
We welcome BuCor’s initiative to improve the conditions of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) through livelihood programs, such as Project ARTE, and their recognition of Mary Jane Veloso’s skills and potential to contribute to such efforts.
January 23, 2025
NUPL
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers is a nationwide voluntary association of human rights lawyers in the Philippines, committed to the defense, protection, and promotion of human rights, especially of the poor and the oppressed.

We welcome BuCor’s initiative to improve the conditions of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) through livelihood programs, such as Project ARTE, and their recognition of Mary Jane Veloso’s skills and potential to contribute to such efforts. It is a testament to Mary Jane’s resilience and her desire to remain productive, even under such difficult circumstances.

However, while we appreciate efforts to empower PDLs, the ultimate empowerment for Mary Jane lies in her freedom. Mary Jane has already suffered immeasurably for almost 15 years. Her story is one of betrayal and survival, and it should compel us to act with urgency and compassion.

The question is not whether Mary Jane will stay long at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) or whether she will contribute to these livelihood programs; it is whether justice will finally prevail for her.

We remain hopeful that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will heed the calls for absolute pardon and release Mary Jane. As her counsel, we reiterate our appeal to the President: grant her the absolute pardon she so richly deserves.

Mary Jane’s involvement in programs like Batik weaving can take on an even greater meaning if she is allowed to teach and inspire others as a free woman, using her story to help prevent other victims of trafficking from suffering the same fate. Her freedom will be a victory not just for her, but for all victims of human trafficking who continue to fight for justice.

We call on the public to remain vigilant and to continue to advocate for Mary Jane’s freedom. #

Reference:

Atty. Josalee Deinla
NUPL Secretary General
+639174316396

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On the criminal charges of grave threat against VP Sara Duterte

On the criminal charges of grave threat against VP Sara Duterte

The validity of Sara Duterte’s indictment for grave threat is being questioned in light of the Supreme Court ruling in Ombudsman v. Court of Appeals (G.R. No. 146486, March 4, 2005). According to the ruling, an “impeachable officer cannot be criminally prosecuted for the same offenses which constitute grounds for impeachment”. In applying such ruling in relation to the indictment of Sara Duterte, the following points should be considered:

TO ALL THOSE TAKING THE BAR EXAMINATIONS BEGINNING TODAY, we honor the long and difficult work that has brought you to this moment.

TO ALL THOSE TAKING THE BAR EXAMINATIONS BEGINNING TODAY, we honor the long and difficult work that has brought you to this moment.

Behind every examinee are years of study, sacrifice, doubt, discipline, and persistence. As you enter the examination rooms, we wish you the best of health, soundness of mind, steadiness under pressure, and resilience for the days ahead. May you find the clarity to draw upon what you have learned, the composure to meet each question as it comes, and the resolve to keep going through fatigue and uncertainty.

LUDICROUS!!!

LUDICROUS!!!

Using the perjured statements of military assets, the government alleged that the Cagayan Valley activists supplied rice to NPA rebels by burying the rice in the hinterlands of Cagayan. The military assets allegedly provided the information to locate the place where the rice were buried. These were excavated, and the rotten rice is being used as a basis to file the case for terrorist financing.

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