The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), led by the Director General, GENERAL GREGORIO PIO P CATAPANG JR., AFP (Ret.) CESE, CCLH, actively participated in the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) National Legal Aid Summit held on 15–18 January 2026 in Boracay, Aklan. The summit gathered members of the Philippine Bar, the Judiciary, and government stakeholders to discuss reforms and innovations in legal aid.
DG CATAPANG served as one of the resource speakers, underscoring the commitment of BuCor to advancing reforms in penology and ensuring the timely release of qualified Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL).
Accompanying DG CATAPANG were ATTY FERDINAND V BALDUMAN, ATTY KEISHA ALYSSA R BRILLO, ATTY DJAMILYA DAWN G MANAOG, CO1 Tricia Mae Gonzales, and CO1 Jeff P Kedweng.
DG CATAPANG emphasized the need for a unified penology system under the Department of Justice (DOJ) to address institutional gaps that delay PDL release. In addition, ATTY. KEISHA ALYSSA R BRILLO and CO1 Tricia Mae Gonzales delivered technical lectures on Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) and related computations, ensuring that no PDL remains in custody due to administrative delays. These efforts reinforced the vision of transitioning from traditional litigation-based aid to a holistic, digitalized, and sector-specific approach.
The summit introduced several transformative initiatives, including the launch of the Unified Legal Aid Service (ULAS) Portal, designed to centralize digital filings for transparency and efficiency. Strategic discussions addressed jail decongestion, migrant assistance, and inclusive legal aid for marginalized communities, while capacity-building sessions focused on restorative justice, OFW rights, and anti-corruption strategies.
The active involvement of the Bureau highlighted its vital role in shaping justice system that is ethical, competent, compassionate, and inclusive, reinforcing its commitment to meaningful reform and public service.
CO1 Al Yanna O Argate
Contributor
