22/01/2026
Cebu City Justice Zone presents on Session 3 of Plenary 1 of Day 2 of the 2nd National Jail Decongestion Summit held at the Manila Hotel under the theme: โHustisyang Mapagpalaya sa Sistemang Makabagoโ
Plenary 1 From Experience to Policy highlighted the vital role of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated persons in shaping policies on detention, rehabilitation, and reintegration. Voices of lived experience remind us that justice reform is most effective when those it affects are included. Panellists from the Philippines, South Africa, and Australia shared how inclusive policymaking leads to grounded, equitable, and sustainable reforms.
Session 3: CLEP Experience and Law Studentsโ Engagement in Jail Decongestion moderated by
Siavash Rahbari, EU-GOJUST showcased the impactful role of law students through Clinical Legal Education Programs (CLEP) in partnering with courts, local governments, and legal institutions to address jail overcrowding.
The Speakers are
โข Atty. Antonio Ceasar Manila, Supreme Court of the Philippines
โข J03 (Atty.) Rona A. Mestiola, Acting Chief, National Paralegal Section, BJMP
โข Dean Jose Glenn C. Capanas, University of San Carlos โ shared the integration of Jail Decongestion in USCโs CLEP and its measurable outputs
โข Mary Angelie M. Ocon, Law Student, USC โ shared her externship with IBP Cebu City Chapter and hands-on experience in Humanity Behind Bars, a multi-awarded, gold-standard jail decongestion and legal aid program.
Humanity Behind Bars, conceptualised and implemented by Atty. Mary Grace H. Casano for IBP Cebu City and CCJZ remains a sustainable, collaborative initiative supported by various stakeholders of Cebu City Justice Zone, continued under the convenorship of Executive Judges Macaundas Hadjirasul, Marlon Jay G. Moneva, and Anacleto Debalucos.
From lived experience to policy, from classrooms to correctional facilitiesโthis plenary reminds us that true reform begins when justice listens.