The University of San Carlos hosted the Supreme Court Committee on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (Human Rights Committee), headed by Senior Associate Justice Marvic M. V. F. Leonen, for its multi-sectoral focus group discussions (FDGs) on protective writs on September 2–5, 2024, at the USC Downtown Campus. 

The FDGs covered the protective writs of habeas corpus, amparo, and habeas data to understand how the writs can continuously guarantee fundamental rights to life, liberty, security, and human rights. 

USC hosted the second leg of the consultation; the first leg was conducted in Baguio City last July 2024. The Cebu FDG was attended by various groups from Visayas and Mindanao, including judiciary members, civil society groups, non-governmental organizations, human rights defenders, legal practitioners, law professors, and representatives from the Commission on Human Rights. 

Aside from SAJ Leonen, Associate Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan was also present during the September 2–3 sessions while Associate Justice Jhosep Y. Lopez attended the September 4–5 sessions. 

The SC Human Rights Committee will create a technical working group to draft the proposed amendments to the protective writs after the third leg of the FDGs, which will be held in Mindanao this September 2024.