A.  Legal Work

For the year 2004 we have facilitated the release of sixty nine (69) persons in detention.

Of those released majority of them were children numbering 64,

AGES OF CHILDREN

mostly male between the ages of  15 to 17.

PROPORTION BY SEX

11 cases were dismissed provisionally because of the repeated failure of private complainant to attend the hearings despite notice.

5 children pleaded guilty to the offense charged and availed of the privilege of Suspended Sentence and are now undergoing rehabilitation at the National Training School for Boys in Tanay, Rizal.

Mode of Release

13 of them were released having served the maximum imposable penalty provided for by law.

And 20 were released on recognizance mostly  to their parents and 9 to PREDA Foundation.1

Of the cases  handled most of them were charged with theft at 30, followed by robbery 8 cases.

CRIMES CHARGED

Majority of the children we have helped were from the Molave Youth Rehabilitation Center in Quezon City and the Manila Youth Reception Center.

B.  Updates on Identified Priority Strategies

1. Simplified Inmates Record System (SIRS) Project -  The program is  finished and was tested in the San Mateo Jail. Formal turn-over to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology for its use nationwide is scheduled before the month of February ends.  Erwin Zabala is overseeing the project.
2. Pre-Trial Release Act - HLAF in  collaboration with the Project Management Office of  the Supreme Court  is currently  conducting a study to determine the possibility of expanding the scope of recognizance.  The  survey of materials, foreign and local on the subject was already completed.  For the months of October and November interviews were conducted in Cebu, Davao Caloocan, Quezon City and Manila.  Except for a few personnel here in Manila the interview phase is almost done.   Focus group discussions (FGD) will be conducted in the months of February and March to validate the initial findings of the research.  The result of the FGDs will be incorporated in the final paper that is due at the end of March.
3. Update on the Livelihood and Rehabilitation Program

• Malayang Kabuhayan – our livelihood project is underway.  Margaret Castillejo, a former inmate who was recently released is the project coordinator.  They prepare for and deliver food to Molave and QC Female Dormitory.  Attached is the detailed  report on the project.
• Linis – Buyon Project - This project is completed.  We have distributed 30 toilet bowls,  10 each in  Quezon City, Manila and Caloocan City jails.  Attached is the report on the project.

C.  Advocacy and Networking

1. Sub-Task Force on Justice for Children

HLAF is a member of the Justice for Children Network under the auspices of the Council for the Welfare of Children and part of the Technical Working Group  laboring to pass the Comprehensive Juvenile Justice Bill  to better protect and promote the rights of children in conflict with the law.   A proposed bill was already submitted to both houses of Congress.

2.  PRESO Foundation

This is a coalition of organizations helping the inmates in Quezon City jail. At the moment it is working for the establishment of a new Quezon City Jail.   We are also conducting paralegal seminar on Rights of the Accused and criminal procedure every Thursday in QC jail.