(Larawan mula sa PIA)
SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna (PIA) — The Department of Justice has reaffirmed its commitment to providing fair services to the public ensuring the enhancement of justice service delivery in the Calabarzon region.
During a recent episode of Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas, State Prosecutor Josef Albert Comilang, Officer-in-Charge and Regional Prosecutor of the National Prosecution Service (NPS) IV-A, highlighted their dedication to impartiality in offering free legal representation, counseling, and conducting preliminary investigations and prosecutions.
“We remain impartial during preliminary investigations. We do not favor any side or give preferential treatment. We represent the people of the Philippines, regardless of their financial situation. As long as they have a case filed in court, our office is here to assist them,” Comilang said.
He also assured the public that their office is committed to delivering timely justice and being a source of support for those in need.
“Our goal is to deliver real justice promptly and to be a beacon of hope for the helpless and voiceless. We stand up for those who need support because our justice system is fair and caring to everyone,” Comilang added.
The regional prosecutor emphasized that the DOJ, through its attached offices like NPS and PAO, is committed to providing compassionate justice for all while maintaining accountability.
Lawyer Howard Areza of the Public Attorney’s Office IV-A also reassured the public about their free legal services and condemned the ‘palakasan’ or patronage system, which involves bribing lawyers to gain favor.
He pointed out that bribing or offering gifts to lawyers is illegal and punishable by law, stressing that public attorneys are dedicated to serving everyone fairly.
“Do not hesitate to approach the Public Attorney’s Office because our legal services are available and free of charge. Please do not bring gifts or tokens; sometimes clients mistakenly think they need to offer something to receive service – that is not allowed,” Areza said.
“Offering any form of gift is a serious offense; our lawyers could face legal charges and even lose their jobs,” he added.
The agencies also shared their achievements in providing legal services.
PAO Calabarzon reported that their office provided legal representation to 29,860 clients from January 2024 to June 2024 across various district offices in the region.
They handled 28,072 criminal cases, 369 civil cases, 93 administrative cases, and 585 labor cases. They also conducted 5,242 jail visitations and offered 121,972 legal counseling sessions through various communication channels.
“Our district offices are available nationwide, including the most remote islands. Our services are free and cover criminal cases, including those for the complainants, as well as civil, labor, and administrative cases, extending to appeals and the Supreme Court,” he added.
Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas is a weekly media forum program of the Philippine Information Agency, in partnership with the Presidential Communications Office, which highlights the programs, projects, and policies of the national government under the Bagong Pilipinas governance agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration. (Maine Odong, PIA 4A)