The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) commends the Department of Justice Action Center (DOJAC) for its continued commitment to accessible justice through the Katarungan Caravan. This initiative aims to provide free legal services to persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), including the elderly and terminally ill.

Mobilized by a group of legal professional volunteers from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and law students from various academic institutions, the caravan was able to help 270 inmates at the New Bilibid Prison last 11 April 2025.

According to reports, in 2024, the program broadened its reach, serving the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong and underserved communities in Marawi, Davao del Norte, and Camiguin. The Caravan has already assisted 12,879 PDLs this year—a 500% or fivefold increase from the 2,815 beneficiaries recorded in 2023. These efforts reflect the value of free legal assistance in ensuring that justice remains accessible to all, including PDLs.

The Katarungan Caravan initiative operationalizes the Principle 3 of the United Nations Principles and Guidelines on Access to Legal Aid in Criminal Justice Systems which states that every human being deserves equal access to legal remedies and protections.

Article III, Section 12 (1) and (2) of the 1987 Philippine Constitution guarantees that those who cannot afford legal counsel shall be provided with one by the State. Similarly, Rule 61 of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules) upholds that all prisoners, including those awaiting trial, must be granted immediate and unimpeded access to legal counsel as part of their fundamental rights.

The Commission believes that initiatives such as the Katarungan Caravan affirm the State’s duty to uphold the dignity and legal rights of all persons—even those behind bars.

CHR extends its appreciation to the tireless volunteers, legal professionals, academic institutions, and partners who bring this initiative to life, upholding the right to legal assistance, particularly for the marginalized.

The Commission also calls on other legal institutions and government agencies to lend their support to the expanding reach of the Katarungan Caravan. Let this effort serve as a spark for building a justice system where legal aid is not a privilege for the few, but a guaranteed right for all. ###