The detainees were part of the 518 cases tried during the EJOW, in which 217 decisions were
promulgated and 21 cases were dismissed.
Supreme Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez emphasized that the EJOW aims to bring
the services of the justice department to the community to expedite the cases tried in the local
courts.
“We have been doing this for more than 10 years already, and ang talagang layunin naman dito
ay para mapabilis ang takbo ng mga kaso (and the purpose really is to hasten the development
of the cases),” Marquez said.
During his visit in Montevista District Jail, Marquez also advised the jail personnel to submit to
his office cases which already took more than 10 years.
One of the beneficiaries of EJOW is Maria, 23 years-old, who was detained in Montevista
District Jail for more than two years. She was arrested since she was at her relative’s house
during a raid on illegal drugs in the province.
“Nagpasalamat kami kay bisan pa man nakasala kami gitagaan jud kami ug second chance na
makauban ang among mga pamilya,” Maria said. (We are thankful for eventhough we
committed a crime, we are given a second chance to be with our family again)
Maria has a two year-old child, whom she bore at the district jail. The child is currently at the
custody of Maria’s mother.
Aside from the trials and mediation, 515 detainees of the jails in the province also availed of the
medical and dental services; while 50 inmates also benefitted the free legal aid services.
Information dissemination of various laws were also conducted at the capitol lobby, which was
attended by 250 participants including barangay officials.
