Dulog Legal and the DivinaLaw Foundation, in partnership with the City Government of Cebu and the League of Lupong Tagapamayapa Cebu City Chapter, conducted a community legal aid initiative at Cebu City Hall, delivering lupon capacity building for lupon members across the city and free legal consultations for local residents.
The Cebu initiative forms part of a continuing nationwide series of Dulog Legal programs held in celebration of DivinaLaw’s 20th anniversary and dedicated to reaching Filipinos with limited or no access to legal assistance.
The program opened with remarks from League of Lupong Tagapamayapa Cebu City Chapter President Aida D. Tampas, followed by messages of welcome and support from Cebu City Mayor Nestor Dionson Archival Sr. and City Councilor Pancrasio “Francis” I. Esparis.
The morning session featured a Lupon Training on Katarungang Pambarangay Law attended by around 300 lupon members, facilitated by DivinaLaw Partner and Pro Bono Services Lead Mary Jude C. Marvel and Partner Floro C. Balato, Jr. The discussion provided participants with practical guidance on barangay justice and community dispute resolution.
Supporting the initiative were Senior Partner and Cebu Office Resident Counsel Dara C. Acusar, Senior Partner Gregorio Y. Larrazabal, Senior Associates Bianca Isabel D. Soriano and Vaupetroanji J. Peña, and Cebu Office Associates Clemn Lawrence L. Catubag, Mary Mae M. Denila, and Ena Bernadine V. Paderanga.
Representatives of the League of Lupong Tagapamayapa Cebu City Chapter were likewise present during the program, including members of the Board of Directors Mr. Nelson Tantano, Mr. Anastacio Bihag, Mr. Renato Navarette, and Mr. Favian Sasam, along with the organization’s officers: President Aida D. Tampas, Vice President Enrique Tiongko, Secretary Agustin Jimeno, Treasurer Alfredo Arnaiz, Auditor Jose Deresas, and Public Information Officers Camilo Tabasa and Emily Malto.
Dulog Legal is the flagship pro bono initiative of DivinaLaw, first launched in 2022 by Managing Partner Nilo T. Divina. The Cebu leg marked the program’s 16th mission overall, continuing its efforts to expand access to legal education, legal assistance, and community-based legal services for Filipinos in the Philippines and abroad.
