Second Paralegal Training Program Goes On Despite Carina and Habagat

The University of the Philippines (UP) Law Center (UPLC) Workers and Employees Program (WEP), in collaboration with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), conducted the Second Paralegal Training Program on Labor Rights and Remedies last 23-28 July 2024 at the Pine Room, Sequioa Hotel, Quezon City. Thirty-six (36) workers from various unions, federations, and other labor organizations in Regions IV-A, VI, VII, XI, and the National Capital Region took part.

Given the 39 participants from the first paralegal training held in April 2024, the WEP DOLE Paralegal Training Program has so far trained a total of 75 labor representatives on various legal remedies available to them, as well as on case build-up, so that they can help in providing relevant information and/or evidence towards establishing an airtight case against perpetrators of violence committed against their ranks. The Program is a commitment by the UP College of Law, the UPLC, and the DOLE pursuant to their 22 August 2023 Memorandum of Agreement.

Despite heavy rains and floods caused by the southwest monsoon or habagat enhanced by the Super Typhoon Carina, the 24 July 2024 session proceeded as scheduled. Participants were housed on-site while resource persons who could not come physically delivered their lectures remotely.

The July paralegal training began with welcome remarks from DOLE Assistant Secretary Attorney Lennard Constantine C. Serrano, Bureau of Labor Relations (BLR) Officer-in-Charge Labor Arbiter Attorney Maria Consuelo S. Bacay, and WEP Founding Program Director Professor Patricia R.P. Salvador Daway. WEP Senior Legal Associate Attorney Emir-Deogene V. Mendoza then gave a brief presentation on setting expectations.

The following lectures were then given:

23 July 2024
- Fundamental Principles: Attorney Arnold F. De Vera, WEP Program Director
- Rights and Obligations of Workers: Attorney Jasper Frederick C. Briones, WEP Junior Legal Associate
- Overview of Legal Remedies: Attorney Emir-Deogene V. Mendoza, WEP Senior Legal Associate
24 July 2024
- Examining Gender and Society: Assistant Professor Maritess D. Cruz, Department of Women and Development Studies, College of Social Work and Community Development, University of the Philippines Diliman
- Use of Gender-Fair Language for Inclusivity: Assistant Professor Irish Joy G. Deocampo, Department of English and Comparative Literature, College of Arts and Letters, University of the Philippines Diliman
- Anti-Sexual Harassment and Safe Spaces in the Workplace: Attorney Louise Aubrey P. Mejia, Legal Associate, Gender Law and Policy Program, UP College of Law
- Conducting Investigation and Interview: Attorney Arnel C. Abeleda, Education and Training Committee, Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG)
25 July 2024
- Jurisdiction and Remedies in Philippine Labor Law and Jurisprudence: Attorney Juan Carlo Tejano, Lawyer, Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panlegal, Inc. (SALIGAN)
- Violation of Rights as Crimes: Attorney Dan P. Calica, Lecturer, UP College of Law
- Omnibus Guidelines on Freedom of Association and Civil Liberties: Attorney Arnold F. De Vera, WEP Program Director
- Special Proceedings: Writs of Habeas Corpus, Amparo, and Habeas Data: Attorney Marwil N. Llasos, Chief of Staff to the Dean, UP College of Law and WEP Member
26 July 2024
- Republic Act No. 11479, Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 and Rules on the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 and Related Laws: Attorney Emir-Deogene V. Mendoza, WEP Senior Legal Associate
- Arrest, Search, Seizure, and Detention: Attorney Niel Anthony S. Borja, Lecturer, UP College of Law
- Jurisdiction and Remedies in Civil Law and Jurisprudence: Human Relations: Attorney Glenda T. Litong, Law Reform Specialist V, Institute of Human Rights, UPLC
27 July 2024
- Access to Legal Assistance: Attorney Marwil N. Llasos, Chief of Staff to the Dean, UP College of Law and WEP Member
- Gender-based Collective Bargaining: Professor E. (Leo) D. Battad, Program Director, Gender Law and Policy Program, UP College of Law and WEP Member
- Documentation of Cases: Report Writing and Affidavit Making: Attorney Arnel C. Abeleda, Education and Training Committee, Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG)
- Introduction to Evidence: Attorney Jasper Frederick C. Briones, WEP Junior Legal Associate

After the lectures, participants applied their knowledge through simulated case studies involving workers’ rights such as freedom of association. They explained what rights were violated in each study, what their remedies were, what evidence they needed and where to obtain them. Mediator-Arbiters from the BLR and WEP members commented on the participants’ analysis.

The six-day training ended with the closing ceremony, with speeches given by DOLE Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma, UP College of Law and UPLC Associate Dean Professor Solomon F. Lumba, and DOLE Undersecretary Attorney Benedicto Ernesto R. Bitonio, Jr. Certificates were given to all 36 participants and resource persons present.