A year prior to the pandemic, PRESO Inc. Case Worker, Sol, met a dutiful mother, Selyn who consistently visited her very young son Elmer in one of the NCR Jails. Ever since that time, Selyn would ask for any possible legal or paralegal assistance to help Elmer secure an early release. She was quite persistent.
This mother was happily married and considers her family as a treasure from God. They have 5 children- 3 girls and 2 boys. In 2005 however her husband died. Selyn was then 29 yrs old only, her eldest was 9 yrs while the youngest was only a year old.
Since she got married quite early, she failed to finish her college course. In an effort to respond to the needs of her growing children, she had to work and accept even the most menial of tasks, like that of a janitress. As a solo parent and widow, she has to do all she could to raise her children well. But she too hopes for a better future by enhancing her knowledge hence completing her course. Later, a congregation of religious sisters took her in as their overall office assistant- taking various responsibilities other than administrative. With the little that she receives monthly, Selyn still pursued her own self-sustaining- academic- journey. Soon she graduated with the degree of Bachelor’s in Business Administration. Despite the humble remuneration she receives, Selyn remained loyal to the Sisters and struggled to support her children’s education. She never thought of a second marriage.
While Selyn’s four children are faithfully completing their respective education, one of her boys, Elmer, believes that improving their family income is more important than finishing a degree. Elmer felt that her mother deserves something better than a meager income. Selyn tried to counsel him but to no avail. Elmer took in different jobs and in his latest, he was earning quite well. But he wanted much more. To the family’s dismay, Elmer was already into sale of illegal drugs. He was a subject of surveillance and sooner than he thought, he was caught in an entrapment operation, put to jail and charged with possession and sale of illegal drugs. This offense was non-bailable.
After one and a half years of Elmer’s stay in jail, Selyn’s resources were almost drained. She said that she felt too weary, as if she was carrying a large cross on her shoulders. Nevertheless, she stood tall and determined that something must be done. She conferred with the lawyer, talked to persons in authority, sought help from PRESO Inc and volunteers in the prison ministry and most importantly, she humbled herself before the Lord through constant praying. She also asked her children, the Sisters and friends to join her in daily prayers. Meanwhile, Elmer was behaving well while in jail and sincerely asked for her mother’s forgiveness.
After almost two years of Elmer’s imprisonment and with the help of PRESO Inc. Selyn wrote to the assigned Judge stressing why her son needs to be bailed out. A few months later, the lawyer advised Elmer that instead of paying a huge bail, he can do a plea bargain so he could be given lower penalty. Selyn’s family agreed too and prayed that he will be given not more than 6 years so he can apply for probation. On the day that the verdict was read, no one expected that the penalty for each violation would turn out to be 6 months only. And since he was detained for two years, Elmer has already served more than his sentence. Hence, he was immediately released. Selyn and her family were so overjoyed by this resolution. It was to them, a great gift from the Lord-a promise fulfilled.
Selyn eventually resigned from her job and decided to set up a small business with PRESO’s pledge to help supplement the needed capital. Selyn has always been emotionally strong. She keeps her Faith and knew what God’s almighty power can do to her and her loved ones. She believes that the joy that she is experiencing is a product of the pain and tragedy that she and her family have endured together. She now continues to inspire other families of persons deprived of liberty. A warrior at heart, she truly is.
Comments