Gullas Institute of Legal Aid Services

Last September 28, 2022, UNOPS Communication Officer, Mr. Mario Villamor, personally visited UV-GLS GILAS. We were already blessed enough to be granted with 2M-Funding by the EU for our Legal Aid Activities, and still we're even more lucky that they have expressed a specific interest in one of our project components: the TAMBAG-BAYE, a Legal Aid for the Women Deprived of Liberty (WDLs) at the Cebu City Jail - Female Dormitory.

Last June 2022, GILAS conducted our First Mission of the TAMBAG-BAYE, wherein we catered to fifteen (15) WDLs. Barely a month from our visit and free legal consultation and legwork, three (3) WDLs had been released. As of last update in September 2022, an additional of five (5) WDLs had also been released; bringing a total of eight (8) out of fifteen (15) beneficiaries released from jail. Thank you to our Law Student Practitioners (LSPs), Supervising Lawyers (SLs), the BJMP, and of course, UNOPS.

For our Second Mission, GILAS will be catering to Thirty Five (35) WDLs. We are also being supported by our friends from the IBP Cebu Chapter Group , who will be providing us with willing and competent SLs.

Indeed, the revision of Rule 138-A is truly remarkable and revolutionary!

MOA-signing for GILAS Component 3: Balaod ug Hustisya sa Barangay (BHB) with Brgy. Babag, Cebu City Brgy. Capt. CESAR DOLORITO

BHB is a Developmental Legal Aid Project of the Gullas Institute of Legal Aid Services as duly funded by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). In this Component, GILAS shall visit eight (8) far-flung partner-barangays within the City and Province of Cebu to conduct Capacity Building seminars for their Lupons, Tanods, and Brgy. Officials and Staff. Moreover, UV GLS Law Student Practitioners will provide Legal Education seminars about basic human rights, including those of Women, Children, Senior Citizens, Persons with Disabilities, Solo Parents, and other marginalized sectors of the community. Finally, in collaboration with IBP Cebu (Province) Chapter, GILAS will render free legal consultation, notarization and other legal aid services to the indigent constituents of the partner-barangays with the end in view of making ACCESS TO JUSTICE a reality.

“Armed with legal knowledge, a compassionate heart, and support from the justice community, the Tambag Baye vision that GILAS has had since its conception in Year 2021, is slowly becoming a reality”

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TAMBAG-BAYE is one of the components of our GOJUST-approved project titled "Gullas Institute of Legal Aid Services (GILAS) - According Access to Justice to Cebuano Grassroots Communities", pursuant to the Clinical Legal Education Program of the University of the Visayas - Gullas Law School (UV-GLS), which aims to provide an avenue for the LSPs to learn while serving the community.

Women helping women; a legal help desk | GOJUST The EU’s Governance in Justice Programme (GOJUST) provided grant funding to the University of the Visayas-Gullas Law School's law clinic to set up a legal help desk in the female dormitory of the Cebu City jail to provide free legal aid services to women deprived of liberty.

During the question and answer portion of our program.

On to the last speaker of the day, Ms. Gail Therese Padayhag, to discuss the Ejectment process.

Our third speaker for the day, Ms. Wednesday Abelgas, explaining to our participants the Law on Tenancy.

Our second speaker, Ms. Jasafe Taborada, giving light on the different Classifications of Lands.

Our first speaker, Ms. Sunshine Rubin, enlightening us on the Rights and Empowertof Farmers and Fisherfolks.

Atty. Chevrolie Maglasang-Isoto, Director of Gullas Institute of Legal Aid Services (GILAS) giving the rationale of the program.

Cornelia Valle, Chief of the Municipal Agriculture Office - Department of Agriculture Consolacion, Cebu giving welcome address.

Currently happening at the Municipal Hall - Extension Building, Consolacion, Cebu.

The Gullas Institute of Legal Aid Services (GILAS) is currently conducting a Free Seminar and Legal Aid to our active farmers and fisherfolks in the Municipality of Consolacion, Cebu.

GILAS acknowledges the vital role of our farmers and fisherfolk in the nation-building. Thus,
GAHUM or “Giya, Amuma, ug Hustisya sa mga Mag-uuma ug Mananagat” is one of the components of GILAS, giving access to justice to the said sector. The program is funded by the European Union, through the GOJUST II of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

GAHUM aims to empower the farmers and fisherfolks within the Province and City of Cebu by educating them about their legal rights and responsibilities.

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Ang Gullas Institute of Legal Aid Services (GILAS) nagpahigayon karon ug Libreng Seminar ug Legal Aid sa atong aktibong mag-uuma ug mananagat sa Lungsod sa Consolacion, Cebu.

Nakita sa GILAS ang importansya sa atong mga mag-uuma ug mananagat sa pagpalambo sa atong nasud. Mao ang GAHUM o “Giya, Amuma, ug Hustisya sa mga Mag-uuma ug Mananagat” usa sa mga programa sa GILAS nga naghatag ug access to justice sa maong sektor. Ang programa gipunduhan sa European Union, pinaagi sa GOJUST II sa United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

Gitinguha sa GAHUM nga mahatagan ug gahum ang mga mag-uuma ug mananagat sa probinsya ug syudad sa Sugbo pinaagi sa pag edukar nila sa ilang mga legal nga katungod ug responsibilidad.

It's a beautiful day 😍

Been a while since our last update...

GILAS had been busy setting up our law clinic, as well as planning our legal aid activities.

And now, we are finally ready to serve 🙏

TODAY, June 11, 2022, five (5) of our Certified Law Student Practitioners, together with our dynamic associate Dean ATTY. DARLING CHYRMYTH WAGAS-ESTORGIO as their Supervising Lawyer, will personally visit the Cebu City Jail - Female Dormitory, to interview and assess the legal needs of Women Deprived of Liberty (WDLs). The LSPs shall then have the incoming week to prepare for the June 18, 2022 Online Legal Advice-Giving Activity by visiting the courts to check and follow up the case status of the WDLs. In this FIRST Batch of TAMBAG-BAYE, GILAS will cater to at least 15 WDLs.

TAMBAG-BAYE is one of the components of our GOJUST-approved project titled "Gullas Institute of Legal Aid Services (GILAS) - According Access to Justice to Cebuano Grassroots Communities", pursuant to the Clinical Legal Education Program of the University of the Visayas - Gullas Law School (UV-GLS), which aims to provide an avenue for the LSPs to learn while serving the community.

The Governance in Justice (GOJUST) is a programme of the European Union, in support of the Government of the Philippines' efforts to improve access for justice for all Filipinos.

GOJUST is implemented through the British Council (BC) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). BC leads in the technical aspects in the implementation of project activities. UNOPS provides project implementation support and is responsible for logistics/ administrative support, procurement, grants management, and communications & visibility.

GILAS would also like to thank the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) for their kind assistance and active cooperation to make TAMBAG-BAYE feasible :))

After a very tedious and meticulous but so worthwhile process, GILAS has been granted financial support from the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) through its Governance in Justice (GOJust) Programme. GOJust II is the 2nd phase of the reformed program funded by the European Union (EU), aimed at improving "Access to Justice", thereby contributing inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development.

The proposal entitled "Gullas Institute of Legal Aid Services (GILAS) - According Access to Justice to Cebuano Grassroots Communities" was reviewed by the Grant Steering Committee (GSC) composed of senior officials from UNOPS, British Council and the European Union Delegation. The GSC was pleased with the proposal and considered it as a "no one left behind" project targeting several groups or sectors that are most vulnerable, for access to justice.

There were over 50 interested participants who joined the training on how to apply for UNOPS funding. 19 Actually filed and as of January 2022, only 5 Universities, including UV Gullas Law School have been awarded and approved with said funding.

We would like to congratulate the whole UV-GLS Community especially to Atty. Joseph Randi Torregosa (Dean), Atty. Darling Chyrmyth Wagas-Estorgio (Associate Dean), and Atty. Chevrolie Maglasang-Isoto (CLEP Director). We would also like to congratulate and commend the efforts of the students who drafted and defended the said proposal:
1. Mark Oliver Gella
2. John James Magadan
3. Joesil Dianne Semprom
4. Mary Joessa Ajoc
5. Tabitha Faye Tagimacruz
6. Rainiel Llauderes
7. Clayde Von Pogado
8. Lorenz Baguio
9. Isabella Matilde Acebedo
10. Glennie Khyrss Janayon

Gullas Institute of Legal Aid Services updated their address.

Congratulations to 63 Certified Law Student Practitioners of the University of the Visayas - Gullas Law School who acquired their Clinical Legal Education Program (CLEP) Level 1 Certification.

Under Section 4 of A.M. No. 19-03-24-SC, Certified LSP's under Level 1 are now allowed to:
1. Interview prospective clients;
2. Give legal advice to clients;
3. Negotiate for and on behalf of the client;
4. Draft legal documents such as affidavits, compromise agreements, contracts, demand letter, position papers, and the like;
5. Represent eligible parties before quasi-judicial or administrative bodies;
6. Provide public legal orientation; and
7. Assist in public interest advocacies for policy formulation and implementation.

We would also like to express our gratitude to Hon. Marlon Jay G. Moneva, Executive Judge, Regional Trial Court (RTC) - Cebu City for administering the oath-taking ceremony.

CONGRATULATIONS and