Ateneo Center for Legal Services

03/07/2026

Congratulations to the Project ALCANZA Team of the Rosendo U. Castillo, Jr. College of Law on this well-deserved achievement! Your hard work and dedication continue to make us proud. Keep up the excellent work!

Pro Deo et Patria

🎉 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐎𝐅 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐒!🎉

We are thrilled to officially introduce the first batch of successful grant recipients under the European Union in the Philippines - GOJUST program! These organizations will be leading the charge in advancing justice sector reform, human rights, and community empowerment.

Join us in celebrating our new Partners for Change:

👉 Window 1 (Civil Society & NGO Partners):

✅ BALAOD Mindanaw
✅ Ecosystems Work for Essential Benefits (ECOWEB), Inc.
✅ Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center
✅ Medical Action Group
✅ Philippine Children's Ministries Network
✅ PROCESS Foundation Panay, Inc.
✅ SALIGAN

👉 Window 2 (Academic & Institutional Partners):

✅ Ateneo de Zamboanga University Rosendo U. Castillo, Jr. College of Law
✅ Saint Columban College Pagadian

Be sure to follow our page in the coming weeks as we share more about these new grantees, their incredible work, and the impactful initiatives they are bringing to life.

This is only the beginning—another batch of successful grantees will be announced in the coming weeks. Keep an eye on our page for updates!

Congratulations once again to our first batch. We look forward to achieving great milestones together! 🤝

30/04/2026

𝐊𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐊𝐮𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐧: 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

The Commission on Human Rights convened “Kapihan at Kumustahan: A Forum on Food Security” on April 27, 2026, at the Carlos Dominguez Conference Hall, Fr. Ernesto Carretero Building, Ateneo de Zamboanga University, bringing together stakeholders from Regions IX, X, and BARMM to advance discussions on food security.

The forum was graced by 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒. 𝐅𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫-𝐑𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬, reinforcing CHR’s commitment to food as a fundamental human right.

Participants from national government agencies, local government units, civil society organizations, farmers' and fisherfolk organizations, and other related offices, both on-site and online across Mindanao, demonstrated strong multi-sectoral collaboration in addressing food security challenges. Key partners included the Ateneo Center for Legal Services, Rosendo U. Castillo Jr. College of Law, the City Government of Zamboanga, the Office of Hon. Joselito Macrohon, and the Department of Agriculture Region 9.

Round-table discussions focused on key sectors: 𝐚𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬; 𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐤; 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐬; 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐥. These generated insights and data on urgent issues, policy gaps, and actionable recommendations to strengthen food systems.

The forum concluded with a shared commitment to deepen collaboration and advance inclusive, rights-based, and data-driven food security initiatives.

As CHR continues to champion the right to food, Kapihan at Kumustahan remains a vital platform for dialogue and collective action toward a more food-secure Philippines.

📸 Ateneo de Zamboanga University Communications Office - UCO

27/04/2026

🚨 HAPPENING NOW

KAPIHAN AT KUMUSTAHAN: A Forum on Food Security is now in full swing! Currently happening at 📍 Carlos Dominguez Conference Hall, Fr. Ernesto Carrtero Building, Ateneo de Zamboanga University 💜✨

This Food Security Forum covers Regions IX, X, and BARMM.

Organized by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), in partnership with the Ateneo Center for Legal Services (ACLS), the City Government of Zamboanga, and the Department of Agriculture.

25/03/2026

𝑳𝑬𝑨𝑫 𝑳𝑰𝑲𝑬 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑩𝑨𝑩𝑨𝒀𝑳𝑨𝑵𝑺, 𝑭𝑰𝑳𝑰𝑷𝑰𝑵𝑨𝑺! ✨

The Ateneo Center for Legal Services, in collaboration with the Center for Community Extension Services, warmly invites everyone to join us for a meaningful gathering that celebrates the strength, leadership, and resilience of Filipinas within our communities.

Inspired by the Babaylans, our early women leaders and healers, this event seeks to honor cultural heritage while creating a space where women are empowered, heard, and encouraged to take the lead.

📍 March 28, 2026 | 9:00 AM
📍 Campo Uno, Labuan

We especially welcome participants from our local and indigenous communities, as we come together to uplift one another, strengthen our voices, and champion a future where every Filipina leads with courage and purpose.

Sama-sama, para sa kababaihan. 💜

24/03/2026

𝑲𝑨𝑷𝑰𝑯𝑨𝑵 𝑺𝑨 𝑪𝑼𝑳𝑰𝑨𝑵𝑨𝑵: 𝑭𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒂, 𝑰𝒌𝒂𝒘 𝑵𝒂!🇵🇭

In partnership with the Barangay Council of Culianan, the Ateneo Center for Legal Services had the privilege of bringing legal aid and community engagement directly to the people of Culianan.
Through this initiative, we offered free notarization and legal assistance, but more importantly, we shared conversations, stories, and moments of trust with community members, especially women, whose voices and experiences continue to shape the work that we do.

This activity is part of our continuing commitment to make justice not only accessible, but also compassionate and responsive to the realities on the ground. It reminds us that the law is most meaningful when it reaches people where they are.

Our heartfelt thanks to the Barangay Government of Culianan - Zamboanga City for their partnership, and to everyone who took part in making this activity possible. Your cooperation and openness made this initiative truly worthwhile.

Patuloy tayong magsilbi. Patuloy tayong makinig. Patuloy nating ipaglaban ang karapatan ng bawat isa.

24/03/2026

𝑺𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒁𝒂𝒎𝒃𝒐𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒂 𝑪𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝑱𝒂𝒊𝒍 𝑭𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒆 𝑫𝒐𝒓𝒎 💜🎉

The second-year students from the Rosendo U. Castillo Jr. College of Law of Ateneo de Zamboanga University, through the Ateneo Center for Legal Services, spearheaded by Atty. Mary Anne S. Alba, Director of ACLS, together with their supervising lawyer, Atty. David Lim, and in partnership with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, conducted a legal outreach activity for female Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) in celebration of National Women’s Month.

Through lectures on women’s rights and basic self-care, engaging activities, and the distribution of hygiene kits, the initiative created a meaningful space of compassion, dignity, and empowerment—reminding each participant that she is valued, respected, and not forgotten. 🌸✨

22/03/2026

Celebrating strength, dignity, and hope this National Women’s Month! 💜🌸

The Ateneo Center for Legal Services, in partnership with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, will conduct a Legal Outreach Activity for the female Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at the Zamboanga City Jail Female Dorm.

Through meaningful lectures on women’s rights, self-care sessions, and interactive engagement activities, this initiative aims to create a space of learning, encouragement, and connection.

Together, we continue to stand with women—because every woman deserves respect, support, and empowerment. ✨

17/03/2026

🚨 𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐍𝐎𝐖

𝑲𝑨𝑷𝑰𝑯𝑨𝑵 𝑺𝑨 𝑪𝑼𝑳𝑰𝑨𝑵𝑨𝑵: 𝑭𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒂, 𝑰𝒌𝒂𝒘 𝑵𝒂! is in motion. Catch us at:📍 Multi-Purpose Hall, Culianan National High School.💜✨

Organized by the Sangguniang Barangay ng Culianan in partnership with Ateneo Center for Legal Services, in support of the Philippine Commission on Women.

15/03/2026

𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕, 𝑭𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒂. 𝑰𝒌𝒂𝒘 𝒏𝒂! 🌟

In celebration of National Women's Month, the Ateneo Center for Legal Services, in partnership with the Sangguniang Barangay ng Culianan, invites you to 𝑲𝒂𝒑𝒊𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒂 𝑪𝒖𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒏: 𝑭𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒂, 𝑰𝒌𝒂𝒘 𝑵𝒂!🌸☕

Inspired by the strength and wisdom of our Babaylans, this event is a space for every Filipina to rise, speak up, and lead. 💜 Come join us as we celebrate the power and resilience of Filipino women — and talk about the rights that protect them!

Lead like the Babaylans, Filipinas!

🗓️ March 17, 2026
🕑 1:30 PM
📍 Multi-Purpose Hall, Culianan National High School

Organized by the Sangguniang Barangay ng Culianan in partnership with Ateneo Center for Legal Services, in support of the Philippine Commission on Women.

See you there! 💜✨

15/12/2025

As we concluded the Nationwide 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women 🌸 last December 12, 2025, the Ateneo Center for Legal Services (ACLS), in collaboration with Barangay Ayala, conducted a Legal Caravan at the Ayala Barangay Hall with the theme “United for a VAW-Free Philippines.” 💜

The activity was spearheaded by ACLS Director, Atty. Mary Anne S. Alba, together with volunteer lawyers Atty. Zharmaine Cynara C. Jumlaie, Atty. Abdillasis Lakbao, Atty. Ronick Decin, and Atty. Natasha Omar.

ACLS serves as the official legal aid arm of the ADZU – Rosendo U. Castillo Jr. College of Law, committed to providing free and accessible legal assistance and promoting legal empowerment across communities.

Community members received free legal consultations, notarization, and discussions on the Anti-VAWC Law, Anti-Sexual Harassment Act, and the Safe Spaces Act, assisted by JD II CLEP student practitioners of the ADZU College of Law.

Thank you, Ayala ✨, for your warm participation.�Continua kita defende y protege! 💜✨