West Visayas State University – College of Law (WVSU-COL) implemented a project that focuses on legally assisting the marginalized sectors of Iloilo City.
The WVSU – College of Law’s Center for Law Advocacy is a legal clinic that provides legal assistance for marginalized sectors. However, what sets E-Hustisya apart is that it specifically focuses on abused women and children.
In Rule 138 – Law Student Practice Rule by the Supreme Court, students can act as lawyers and handle cases as long as a supervising lawyer is present. Thus, Project E-Hustisya is a student-driven legal clinic with Atty. Ian Thomas M. Besana acting as their supervising lawyer. The cases of victims will be facilitated by the College of Law student lawyers through interviewing clients, preparations of documents to be filed in court, assisting a negotiation, and other legal assistance necessary.
According to Atty. Ian Thomas M. Besana, also the college’s Associate Dean, the project had already begun conducting training for two barangays that are nearest the vicinity of the University campus—Brgy. Magsaysay and Brgy. Montinola. They are trained to carefully handle sensitive and pervasive cases regarding women and children victims. He said, “Sa barangay level pa lang kung ma resolve na siya hindi na mag file case… kay ang courts ta puno na sang cases”. However, it is essential to note that the College of Law’s Center for Law Advocacy also caters to other cases such as disputes, crimes, etc. Atty. Ian Thomas M. Besana mentioned that the College of Law aims to apply for Level 2 Training for the purpose of allowing law student practitioners to appear in courts.
The project is led by the College of Law, in partnership with the Gender and Development Office (GAD) and the Women and Children Protection Unit (WCPU). In addition, the United Nations and European Union granted two (2) million pesos to fund the project thus, an amount of one thousand five hundred (1,500) pesos will be given to consulting victims to be utilized as financial assistance if they decide to file a case.
Currently, the Center for Law Advocacy is open for people around Iloilo City, and even for the people around the University campus, though it is a mission to expand the project. Project E-Hustisya can be accessed through email, social media channels, and available hotlines to be provided along with booklets to be distributed by the Center for Law Advocacy called Pakigbato 101.
