Katarungan Para sa Lahat, Tulong na Tapat

By: TLP Katrin Jessica D. Guinigundo
Credit: Rotary Club of New Manila South

To kick off the new Rotary year in line with its commitment to create lasting impact, the Rotary Club of New Manila South (RCNMS) launched Project Katarungan on August 1 and 22, 2026 at the Covered Courts of Barangay Matandang Balara, Quezon City. This is the club’s flagship legal aid program, to make legal assistanceaccessible to underserved communities.

Recognizing the financial challenge to most in the community , Project Katarungan provides free legal assistance to indigent individuals and families, as well as to barangay officials and community groups. As stated by RCNMS President, Katrin Jessica D. Guinigundo in her opening remarks: “[n]aniniwala po kami na ang batas ay dapat magsilbing instrumento ng katarungan, proteksyon, at kalayaan. Ngunit ang katotohanan ay marami pa rin sa ating mga kababayan ang hindi lubos na nakaaalam ng kanilang mga karapatan o hindi nagkakaroon ng pagkakataong makalapit sa tulong legal dahil sa kakulangan ng kaalaman, pagkakataon, o kakayahang pinansyal. Dahil dito, ang batas, na dapat sana'y para sa lahat, ay nananatiling hindi ganap na naaabot ng marami.”

Project Katarungan offered a range of free legal services to members of the community. These include: pro bono legal consultations, where participants met one-on-one with volunteer lawyers to discuss their legal concerns and receive initial legal advice; document drafting and free notarization, which provided assistance in preparing and notarizing legal documents to ensure they complied with legal requirements; and community legal seminars, which presented common legal issues and available remedies in a clear and practical way for the general public. During the consultations and seminars, the volunteer lawyers—including RCNMS member-lawyers—addressed questions on a wide range of legal concerns. These included ejectment cases, property transactions such as pasalo and similar arrangements, violence against women and their children, the rights of the accused, debt-related issues, common civil registry concerns and their remedies, and labor law. Through these discussions, attendees gained practical legal guidance tailored to their specific situations.

The event drew approximately over 400 participants and was supported by 60 volunteer lawyers from Peralta Jimenez San Luis Uy Ulibas & Guinigundo Law Firm, The Law Firm of Gaspar Cañeba Franco, and other lawyers from various corporations, and legal backgrounds. Its successful implementation was made possible through the close partnership between RCNMS and the barangay. Barangay Captain Allan Franza, together with other barangay officials, attended the event, while barangay volunteers assisted with registration, crowd management, and other logistical requirements throughout the day.

More than providing free legal services, Project Katarungan created an opportunity for community members to better understand their rights and the legal remedies available to them. The initiative also reflects Rotary International's focus on Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution by promoting dialogue, encouraging the peaceful resolution of disputes, and helping people resolve legal concerns before they develop into larger conflicts. Through partnerships like these, RCNMS continues to support stronger, better-informed, and more resilient communities.

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