CLEP increased public’s access to justice — CJ Gesmundo

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo on Thursday said the public’s access to justice has increased while the marginalized sector has been assured a place in society through the Clinical Legal Education Program (CLEP).

Gesmundo issued the remark during the opening day of the First Philippine Clinical Legal Education Summit in Taguig City.

“Indeed, through the… CLEP we have increased access to justice and gave the poor and marginalized sectors of society an assured place in our judicial system,” Gesmundo said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Gesmundo lauded and awarded the Mindanao State University for its Sarimanok Virtual Law Clinic, which delivers legal information and facilitates consultation on legal problems.

He also lauded universities that did not let the coronavirus pandemic hamper the giving of legal assistance to those in need.

Gesmundo, however, cautioned the public against turning to broadcast personalities and social media for legal advice, even with the risk of public ridicule or comment.

“Some commentators take this as an indictment on our justice system for being excruciatingly slow or too costly,” Gesmundo said.

“While I am not in a hurry to condemn these programs which give some relief to the public, personally I cannot help but be a little concerned on the growing acceptance of our people of a platform for redress with no established rules to protect the rights of all persons involved,” he added.

The summit is expected to run from December 1 to 3. — Joahna Lei Casilao/RSJ, Integrated News