Posted by ISD-RPLO on January 22, 2019

Conducted on September 26–28 immediately after the Trainers’ Training, this activity is a capacity building program specially designed for court personnel and duty bearers to competently handle CICL, as well as formulate effective diversion programs, disposition measures and other alternatives to detention. Also held at the Bayleaf Hotel, 34 participants, composed of judges, branch clerks of court, court social workers, LGU social workers, prosecutors and PAO lawyers attended the pilot training.

A French film entitled “Standing Tall” was shown on September 26 to prepare the participants in dealing with the wide spectrum of CICL from personal, family, community and legal perspectives.

PHILJA Chancellor Justice Adolfo S. Azcuna gave the welcome remarks during the opening ceremonies on September 27. Atty. Maria Margarita P. Ardivilla, UNICEF Child Protection Specialist, and Atty. Tricia Clare A. Oco, JJWC Executive Director, spoke on behalf of their respective organizations.

Topics discussed during the workshops were Drivers that Create a Child in Conflict with the Law by Dr. Donald T. Castillo, Associate Professor, University of the Philippine Manila College of Public Health; Restorative Justice in the Philippines before RA No. 9344 by Judge Rosalina L. Pison, Vice Chairperson of PHILJA Department of Civil Law; Restorative Justice: Diversion, Alternatives to Detention, Reconciling the CICL with Their Victims and the Community by RTC Branch 106, Quezon City Presiding Judge Angelene Mary W. Quimpo-Sale; The Standard Social Case Study Report by Ms. Maricris E. Calipio-Cabural, JJWC Deputy Executive Director; Conducting the Diversion Proceedings and Disposition Conference by Ms. Jordan; Formulation of a Written Diversion Program and Other Alternatives to Detention by Ms. Marisol N. Casabuena of the Social Services Development Department; and Monitoring and Evaluation Plans and After-Care Plans by RTC Branch 140, Makati City Presiding Judge Cristina F. Javalera-Sulit.

There was also a Panel Discussion on Multi-Disciplinary and System-based Approach in Restorative Justice System with RTC Branch 106, Quezon City Branch Clerk of Court Atty. Amy Rivas-Magdangal, ACAY Mission Philippines Executive Director Sr. Sophie du Jesus Renoux, Ms. Marisol A. Casabuena, PSI Maimona O. Macasasa of the Philippine National Police Women and Child Protection Center, Ms. Rochelle Orias-Chavez of RTC OCC Makati City, and Ms. Maria Adela Guerrero, a psychologist from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Workshops, practicum on writing case study report and preparing for diversion conference and disposition measures, and lively open fora complemented the lectures in order to ensure participants’ learning. Issues and concerns raised by the participants were answered by the resource persons and facilitators.

Justice Delilah Vidallon-Magtolis, PHILJA Chief of Office for Academic Affairs, ended the training with her closing remarks.