The advocacy of the Transformative Justice Institute and its allies for the Justice and Healing approach in resolving cases on Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment is gaining so much popularity. In Davao City, the Justice and Healing Teams that we trained to handle cases of Domestic Violence have given us the feedback particularly thru the Integrated Gender Development Division (IGDD) of the local government. They report that many have started to avail of the J and H approach.
On December 12 to 15, 2013, a group of academicians connected with a State University and State College from Manila and Luzon came to Davao City to undergo a Seminar on the "Basic Concepts of Justice and Healing to Create a Sexual Harassment Free Environment ". The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) fully supports this endeavor as reflected in a CHED Memorandum.
In our trainings of Justice and Healing Teams we always emphasize the need for the doers of violence or the abusers to admit the wrongs that were done. After acknowledging the wrongs that were done, the doers of violence or the abusers must commit that they will never to do the same again. The doers of violence or abusers then would ask for apology or forgiveness and agree to undergo psychological counseling or psychiatric treatment, if there need be.
We always emphasize the importance of the fourth requirement to undergo psychological counseling and psychiatric treatment for the purpose of correction, rehabilitation and reformation of the doers of violence or abusers, and the healing of the traumatized victims. We have many stories and experiences in Davao City which we share during trainings that led to the correction and reformation of abusers and healing of the victims. All of the trainees are fully convinced that the Justice and Healing Approach is the better way to resolve cases of Sexual Harassment and Domestic Violence particularly in the area of psychological and economic abuses. Even those involved in the administration of justice in the various pillars of the Criminal Justice System believe that the J and H approach should be the way to go.
Indeed the J and H approach is the way to go even for the healing of our nation. Due to both natural and human made calamities that our country experienced this year, from the Zamboanga siege, to the Bohol earthquake and the supertyphoon Yolanda, the song "Heal our Land" has once more become popular. The lyrics of the song goes:
If my people will humble themselves, humble themselves and pray,
If they seek my face and humble themselves and turn from their wicked ways;
REFRAIN 1
I will hear from heaven and forgive their sins, I will hear from heaven and
heal their land;
CHORUS:
Lord, heal our land
Father, heal our land
Hear our cry and turn our nation back to You
Lord, heal our land
Hear us Oh, Lord, and heal our land
Forgive our sin and heal our broken land
Lord, we vow our knee, we humble ourselves
Humble ourselves and pray
Lord, we seek your face and humble ourselves
And turn from our wicked ways
REFRAIN 2
Father in your mercy, forgive our sins
Father in your mercy, come heal our land
CHORUS
Hear our cry and heal our broken land
Truly, if we as a people will own and acknowledge our mistakes, commit to do away with our wrongdoings and seek forgiveness from the Almighty God and mend our ways, our God will hear our prayers and will heal our land.
We must acknowledge that many people in our country are wronged by our present system. Many people live below the poverty line and are so poor that they are not able to enjoy the basic necessities in life. Many of the poor people are victims of various forms of injustices. Many times they are robbed of what rightfully belong to them. The main culprit for this continuing situation is the intertwining culture of patriarchy, corruption and impunity in our society that has become pervasive that many people think and believe that we are a hopeless nation. This is of course not true at all.
We at the Transformative Justice Institute fully believe that our nation has a very bright future. As a people we must unceasingly demand for what is right and just for our country in accordance with law. The people's call for the abolition of the pork barrel is one of the best examples. We thank and appreciate the Supreme Court for declaring PDAF unconstitutional. There will be very good consequences for our nation's progress and development with such decisive action. Our people are becoming more aware and vigilant on what reforms are needed to be done such as the transformation of our justice system and upholding the Rule of Law.
Generally, we already have very good laws in this country. The few remaining laws which are considered discriminatory or obsolete are being seriously reviewed and hopefully will be abrogated or amended soon. There will be a new Code of Crime according to the drafters from the Department of Justice (DOJ). Hopefully, Congress shall pass the new Code of Crime by 2015.
With so much dynamism taking place in our country those who are offering themselves to become political leaders need to shape up and be able to really feel the people's pulse. People are now aware that our country is very poor in the area of observance, compliance, implementation and enforcement of laws. The different institutions involved in such tasks are very weak apparently due to the prevailing culture of patronage politics. The padrino, bata-bata and the palakasan system which are still very pervasive is being revealed and unmasked.
Among lawyers there are now open discussions on why our justice system particularly the judiciary is in mess. Many are blaming the abuse and misuse of fraternity ties identifying a fraternity from the top state university as the main culprit. It is shown that said fraternity is in the habit of controlling government by placing their brods in key government positions to assure that they have the right connections from all over, that includes the three main branches of the Philippine government.
There is now an on-going discussion between the Transformative Justice Institute and some leaders of the national Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP). There is a big chance that the IBP will lead the lawyers group in the cleansing of the Judiciary by positively responding to the call of Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.
With practically all sectors of the Philippine society raising their voices, demanding for change and transformation, we believe that we are now on our way and in the process of healing our nation and respecting and upholding the rule of law. By God's grace, we hope to achieve this goal soon.Padayon ta.
To all allies and friends, Merry Christmas and a Happy, Peaceful and Bright New Year !!!
Isaiah 40:31 states "Those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like the eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not faint".
Proverbs 3: 5 and 6 states "Trust in the Lord with all your hearts and lean not unto your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path."
Dory Cruz Avisado
12-23-13
