CJ Moran Community Legal Assistance Office

𝐂𝐉𝐌𝐌 𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐎 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐑𝐓𝐂 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝟐, 𝐁𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐨 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲

On August 5, 2026, the Chief Justice Manuel V. Moran Community Legal Assistance Office (CJMM CLAO), through its Level 2 Certified Law Student Practitioners: James Paul Bayucan and Victor Mona-Ong entered their appearances as private prosecutors in a criminal case before RTC Branch 2, Baguio.

The appearance was undertaken under the supervision of Atty. Victoria Dines who conducted the cross-examination, with assistance from Level 1 Certified Law Student Practitioners: Alfred Guillermo and Briar Chriss Solis.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀: 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝟯/𝗙 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗩𝟯𝟬𝟴, 𝗠𝘀𝗴𝗿. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗩𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗶𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗕𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗼 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆; 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝟬𝟵𝟯𝟵-𝟯𝟱𝟬-𝟴𝟬𝟳𝟭; 𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲.

𝐂𝐉𝐌𝐌 𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐎 | 𝐎𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐚𝐰 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬

The Chief Justice Manuel V. Moran Community Legal Assistance Office (CJMM CLAO) extends its heartfelt congratulations to the 129 students of the Saint Louis University School of Law, comprising 80 Level 1 and 49 Level 2 Law Student Practitioners (LSPs), who took their oaths as Certified Law Student Practitioners (LSPs) before Executive Judge Michael V. Francisco of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 6, during the oath-taking ceremony held on August 4, 2026, at the Justice Hall, Baguio City.

Under Rule 138-A of the Rules of Court, Certified Law Student Practitioners are entrusted, under the supervision of qualified lawyers, with providing legal assistance and participating in the administration of justice. Through the Clinical Legal Education Program, they are called to uphold the highest standards of competence, integrity, and service while gaining practical legal experience.

May this oath serve as a reminder of the privilege and responsibility of using the law as an instrument for the protection of rights, the promotion of justice, and the service of the community.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀: 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝟯/𝗙 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗩𝟯𝟬𝟴, 𝗠𝘀𝗴𝗿. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗩𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗶𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗕𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗼 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆; 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝟬𝟵𝟯𝟵-𝟯𝟱𝟬-𝟴𝟬𝟳𝟭; 𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲.

“𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲, 𝐚 𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭. 𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲.” —Pope Francis

Today, 30th of July, the Chief Justice Manuel V. Moran Community Legal Assistance Office (CJMM CLAO) joins the international community in celebrating the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

This global observance raises awareness of the persistent crime of human trafficking, which exploits vulnerable individuals through forced labor, sexual exploitation, forced criminality, and other forms of abuse. It also reaffirms our collective responsibility as a society to protect victims, prosecute traffickers, and strengthen legal and institutional responses to prevent trafficking in all its forms.

We in CJMM CLAO stand in solidarity with survivors and support initiatives that safeguard human dignity, expand access to justice, and empower individuals and communities to recognize, prevent, and combat human trafficking. Together, let us continue working toward a society where every person's rights, dignity, and freedoms are protected.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀: 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝟯/𝗙 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗩𝟯𝟬𝟴, 𝗠𝘀𝗴𝗿. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗩𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗶𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗕𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗼 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆; 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝟬𝟵𝟯𝟵-𝟯𝟱𝟬-𝟴𝟬𝟳𝟭; 𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲.

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐚 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: "𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐭 𝐩𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲 - 𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰." (𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞)

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (1918 - 2013) was an anti-apartheid activist and the first South African President elected in a fully representative democratic election who served from 1994 to 1999. He was known for his revolutionary contributions in eradicating apartheid in a then-racially segregated South Africa and his leadership paved the way for racial reconciliation and a democracy unclouded by the racial divide.

Mandela’s legacy reminds us about the significance of having the courage and dedication to speak out against norm-motivated inequalities that deprive people from their rights to identity, protection from oppression, and equal access to the basic freedoms every living person is entitled to.

Today, as we commemorate Nelson Mandela Day, the CJ Moral Legal Assistance Office strengthens its commitment in giving aid to those who are chained by the social ills of modern-day poverty, injustice, and indifference. As Nelson Mandela once said, “Thus shall we live, because we will have created a society which recognizes that all people are born equal, with each entitled in equal measure to life, liberty, prosperity, human rights and good governance.”

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀: 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝟯/𝗙 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗩𝟯𝟬𝟴, 𝗠𝘀𝗴𝗿. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗩𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗶𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗕𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗼 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆; 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝟬𝟵𝟯𝟵-𝟯𝟱𝟬-𝟴𝟬𝟳𝟭; 𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲.

🏔️“𝓕𝓸𝓻 𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝓮𝓭𝓸𝓶 𝔀𝓮 𝓻𝓲𝓼𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓯𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽, 𝓞𝓾𝓻 𝓹𝓻𝓲𝓬𝓮𝓵𝓮𝓼𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓮𝓼𝓽𝓻𝓪𝓵 𝓫𝓲𝓻𝓽𝓱𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽.” - Cordilleran Hymn⛰️

Today, the CJ Moran Community Legal Assistance Office joins the Cordilleran people in celebrating the 39th Cordillera Day, a commemoration of the establishment of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and a recognition of the region's rich cultural heritage, resilience, and enduring pursuit of peace and self-determination.

The creation of the Cordillera Administrative Region stands as a historic milestone, following the sipat (peace pact) between the Philippine government and the Cordillera People's Liberation Army (CPLA). Executive Order No. 220, signed on July 15, 1987 by former President Corazon C. Aquino, officially established the Cordillera Administrative Region and laid the foundation for an administrative framework responsive to the unique history, culture, and aspirations of the Cordilleran people.

As we commemorate this occasion, may we continue to “strive to build a brighter dawn for our children to call their own”, working together to realize our shared dreams of peace, oneness, and progress, while pursuing the cherished goals that bring honor and lasting praise to our region.

𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐎, 𝐈𝐧𝐜. 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐋𝐔 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐚𝐰 | 𝐂𝐉𝐌𝐌 𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐎, 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐃𝐋

Through the Community Bail Bond Program, PRESO, Inc. in partnership with the Saint Louis University School of Law (SLU-SOL), through the Chief Justice Manuel V. Moran Community Legal Assistance Office (CJMM CLAO), successfully assisted a qualified Person Deprived of Liberty (PDL) in securing temporary release, to recuperate with his family as he suffered a stroke while detained and awaiting the resolution of his case.

The Community Bail Bond Program is a restorative justice initiative that assists qualified PDLs in securing provisional release through bail while safeguarding their legal rights. The program also provides guidance throughout the bail process, promotes fair and just legal proceedings, and supports eligible individuals and their representatives in navigating the legal requirements with accessible and professional assistance.

This milestone reflects our shared commitment to advancing restorative justice by protecting rights, promoting equitable access to justice, and fostering greater public trust and confidence in the Philippine justice system.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀: 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝟯/𝗙 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗩𝟯𝟬𝟴, 𝗠𝘀𝗴𝗿. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗩𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗶𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗕𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗼 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆; 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝟬𝟵𝟯𝟵-𝟯𝟱𝟬-𝟴𝟬𝟳𝟭; 𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲.

The pursuit of justice extends beyond the courtroom. It also encompasses the development of correctional institutions that uphold human dignity, promote rehabilitation, and ensure the effective administration of justice.

Ongoing reforms highlight the importance of updating detention facilities, bolstering jail administration through institutional and technological advancements, and addressing the broader legal, social, and economic ramifications of correctional development as the Philippine correctional system continues to evolve. These initiatives reflect a collective commitment to protecting the rights of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs), reducing systemic inefficiencies, and advancing a correctional framework that is consistent with the principles of the rule of law and respect for human rights.

In line with the 𝐂𝐉 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞's commitment to fostering legal awareness and promoting meaningful discourse on contemporary legal issues, understanding these developments is essential for appreciating the role of correctional reform in advancing access to justice, public accountability, and community welfare.

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦

Saint Louis University – School of Law (SLU-SOL), through the Chief Justice Manuel V. Moran Community Legal Assistance Office (CJMM CLAO), in partnership with PRESO, Inc., offers its services to individuals seeking assistance in bail proceedings through the Community Bail Bond Program.

This initiative provides professional and reliable support to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) in securing provisional release while safeguarding their legal rights. The program includes guidance on bail procedures, assistance in facilitating provisional release pending trial, and continuing support throughout the legal process to ensure fair and just treatment.

Eligible individuals or their representatives are encouraged to contact CJMM CLAO or PRESO to initiate the process. The team provides step-by-step guidance to confirm eligibility and assist with all necessary documentation, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience. CJMM CLAO can be visited at 3/F Room V308, Msgr. Charles Vath Library Building, Saint Louis University, Baguio City, contacted by phone at 0939-350-8071, or reached through their official page.

Protect your rights with the Community Bail Bond Program, supported by SLU-SOL, CJMM CLAO, and PRESO Inc.’s professional and trusted assistance!

𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐋𝐀𝐖𝐘𝐄𝐑𝐒

The Chief Justice Manuel V. Moran Community Legal Assistance Office (CJMM-CLAO) wishes to inform all lawyers who have participated in its various programs and activities that the said activities have been successfully accredited by the Unified Legal Aid Service (ULAS) Office. We will be issuing the Certificates of Participation for ULAS Compliance accordingly.

All concerned lawyers are advised to await further announcement regarding the schedule and procedure for the release of your respective certificates.

The CJMM-CLAO extends its sincere appreciation for your continued support, commitment, and active
participation in its programs and activities.

We look forward to serving with you again in the upcoming Academic Year!

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧𝐬.” - Jimmy Carter

The CJ Moran Community Legal Clinic (CJMM CLAO) commemorates this International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, reaffirming its commitment to promoting justice in addressing drug-related issues.

While the law rightly condemns the unlawful manufacture, distribution, and trafficking of dangerous drugs, it is equally important to recognize that drug dependence and addiction are complex diseases that affect millions of people worldwide. For those struggling with substance use disorders, the journey toward recovery is often an uphill battle marked by physical, psychological, social, and economic challenges. Behind every statistic is a person deserving of dignity, compassion, and the opportunity to rebuild their life.

Through Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, the Philippines not only seeks to suppress the illegal drug trade but also to promote treatment, rehabilitation, and aftercare programs for individuals suffering from drug dependence. The law recognizes that lasting solutions require more than punishment alone; they require pathways to healing, recovery, and reintegration into society.

We at CJMM CLAO affirm that effective responses to drug-related issues must balance public safety with respect for human rights. Rehabilitation and reintegration empower recovering individuals to become productive members of their communities and strengthen families that have been affected by addiction.