Opening message of Comm. Rene Sarmiento to the National Conference of Persons Restored of Liberty May, 22 2026

PDLs/PRLs: MENTORS, TEACHERS, HERALDS OF HOPE

Psalm 89 in the Old Testament, expressed by wise man Ethan, praises God for his steadfast love and faithfulness, and proclaims, “Forever I will sing of the goodness of the Lord.”

Today, I join the Psalmist Ethan in proclaiming the goodness of the Lord:

a) For the inspiration to hold this first ever National Conference of Persons Restored of Liberty (PRLs), the first in the history of criminal justice system in the Philippines;

b) For convening this assembly of public servants, academicians, PRLs, friends and supporters of both Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) and PRLs;

c) For nudging the PRESO Board, Consultant Prof.Raymund Narag, Executive Committee, staff, volunteers and six co-organizers to undertake this delicate task of convening this Conference.

While expressing our THANKSGIVING, we look forward to THANKSLIVING the lessons we will draw and learn from this Conference. My Welcome Remarks is themed: “PDLs/PRLs: Mentors, Teachers and Heralds of Hope.” Why mentors, teachers and heralds of hope?

One, on April 27, 1983, more than thirty-three years ago today, while serving as counsel of CARITAS Prison Ministry, a PRL joined me in my car and shared with me these three lessons from his life:

1. With God’s help, DISGRASYA could be transformed to GRASYA. Examples: When cement, water, soil are repeatedly shaken and mixed, they produce a useful concrete pavement; when coffee powder, water and milk are combined and stirred, they bring about an aromatic coffee. From different and painful lived experiences in prison, there emerges a new ecosystem of wisdom, resilience and inner strength.

2. When God is our guide, He shows the way, He provides.

His name:Ambrose Sumalbag.

Two, in September 1972, he was arrested, detained without charges at Laur, Nueva Ecija. In 1974, he was released, emaciated and suffering from a heart ailment. In prison, he resolved to form a national organization of lawyers, then and now called FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE GROUP (FLAG).

While working in his law office, he encouraged me to visit detainees, PDLs, because a lawyer’s visit means comfort, support and strength to those under confinement.

His name: Former Sen. Jose W. Diokno.

Three, during the first century, time of our Lord, or A.D., they were imprisoned a number of times, released and imprisoned again until they were executed. Their last imprisonment in Rome under emperor Nero led to their death by beheading and by upside down crucifixion.

Their names: St. Paul and St. Peter.

Fourth and last, he was arrested and detained in a military camp in Quezon City during martial law. Before investigation, he requested for the legal assistance of Jose W. Diokno. Denied. He was provided with a military lawyer. This detainee shared his experience with me and I, in turn, shared this with the Constitutional Commission of 1986 that drafted the 1987 Constitution. It is now in Section 12, Article III of the 1987 Constitution. The right to an independent and competent counsel under custodial investigation.

His name: Karl Gaspar.

Yes, PDLs and PRLs are mentors, teachers and heralds of hope. Their lived experiences, inside and outside of prison, preached. And from these lived experiences, fraught with sufferings and difficulties, come forth thoughts and lessons that sparkle.

May this First National Conference of Persons Restored of Liberty (PRLs) serve as a forum of shared voices and shared purposes to champion the cause of PDLs and PRLs toward building a more humane, effective and responsive justice system in the Philippines: MAKATAO, EPEKTIBO at MAPANDAMANG PAMAMARAAN SA HUSTISYA.

Maraming salamat po!