Change starts with the desire to achieve something in place of what is there at present. What one perceives to be there at the moment, therefore, is considered undesirable or less acceptable. Often, we become afraid of going for change due to some created fear about what comes after, or about how much it will inconvenience us when the process becomes tedious. We seem to especially reject change when we deem ourselves justified for pursuing our current choices-that what we did and continue to do are in support of who we believe ourselves to be. This thing that we refer to as our identity is what drives our overall thoughts, perceptions, decisions, actions, beliefs, and aspirations. On a grander scale, the way we live our identities in a collective manner is what forms society.

While our clients are under supervision, radical changes are envisioned through the rehabilitation activities being organized for their social, affective, emotional, psychological, relational/behavioral, spiritual, and survival upliftment. Their strengthened personal decision to change, it is hoped, will work towards their eventual reintegration as purported by the Parole and Probation Administration. These step-by-step changes are happening while society deems them as criminals and offenders due to their conviction(s). By its own merit, this mere “branding” unto their identities as effected by the justice system bears no consequence on the quality of life of clients. It only does so when the clients themselves allow these brands to control their daily decisions of whether to look for employment, to upgrade their skills, to farm the soil, to support their families, to realize their unknown potentials, and others. What may stand as an obstacle, though, is the absence or lack of forbearance and re-acceptance of society-represented by the communities and families of which the clients are still members.

And yet, it is this same society which espoused and enacted these “laws of second chances” that govern the programs and services of the DOJ-PPA, such as PD 968, Act 4103, RA 10389, RA 11362, among others. The same laws set the pace and the means by which our clients reconcile with their communities and themselves. It is also the same society that, thereafter, mandated the Administration to facilitate the common desire for ensuring swift and fair administration of justice, rehabilitating clients under the mechanisms and rules of availing probation, parole, and pardon; and reducing recidivism-altogether contributing to the attainment of peace and social order.

Our mandates are the bases of our commitment, and it is in their performance that we are guided by our shared vision of a justice system that not only punishes but also heals and restores.

Our commitment to change, including that of our volunteers and stakeholders, was unyielding for the past year as evidenced by this Annual Report. It will still be unwavering, with faith and hope in each one of us, for the years to come.

Atty. Bienvenido O. Benitez, Jr.
Administrator