One of the seldom used mechanisms for release is the Release on Recognizance (ROR). The ROR Law of 2013 provides that accused who are indigent and cannot post bail may be released through the recognizance (guarantee) of a respectable member of the community. The accused must be charged with bailable offenses, it must be their first time to be in conflict with the law, and they must promise to appear in court during trial dates. The goal of the ROR law is to decongest the jails and provide supervision while the accused are temporarily released.
Despite the helpful provisions of the law, very few Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) avail of the ROR. For one, the application process is very tedious, per our reckoning, there are around 13 different steps and 5 requirements, all time-consuming, before one can successfully avail of the ROR law. Additionally, the guarantors will be held liable when the released PDLs do not show up in court. The guarantors can be put in detention. Despite these potential barriers, our Community Bail Bond sought to release "Ronald" (not his real name) through ROR. We dutifully complied with all the necessary steps to make this happen. As narrated by Solita Salazar, our brave volunteer, she practically moved heavens and earth to make this happen. Please read her narrative below. For the next step, we will monitor his release for the next six months. We will also refer him to our partner NGOs for possible livelihood assistance and spiritual mentoring.
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