Justice Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez gets her trophy. 鈥擟ontributed photo
MANILA, Philippines 鈥擩ustice Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Most Influential People in the Philippines by Rising Tigers Magazine, InCharge Magazine, and Top黑料社Asia.
The award honors individuals across various industries who demonstrate strong leadership and drive meaningful change in society.
In a Facebook post, Rising Tigers described the honorees as 鈥榚ffective leaders whose actions and opinions shape the course of events, influencing countless lives.鈥�
As the DOJ鈥檚 sole female undersecretary, Gutierrez leads the Communications Cluster and oversees the DOJ Action Center (DOJAC), which provides free legal aid to those in need.
搁贰础顿:听INQToday: Bongbong Marcos is in Time鈥檚 100 Most Influential People for 2024
Closeup of Justice Undersecretary Gutierrez鈥檚 trophy. 鈥擟ontributed photo
Appointed in March 2024, she has prioritized expanding access to justice, particularly for indigent individuals. One of DOJAC鈥檚 key initiatives under her leadership is helping persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) secure an early release through the Good Conduct and Time Allowance (GCTA) program.
Beyond legal aid, Gutierrez is redefining rehabilitation for PDLs through Project ARTE (Arts, Crafts, and E-Commerce), a flagship initiative in collaboration with the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW), and SPARK Philippines.
The program equips women PDLs with essential skills and sustainable livelihood opportunities to help them rebuild their lives and regain economic independence.
Justice Undersecretary Gutierrez with fellow awardees 鈥� Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia and Brian Poe Llamanzares, first nominee of the FPJ Panday Bayanihan party-list . 鈥擟ontributed photo
Her dedication to uplifting incarcerated women extends to personally overseeing legal aid at the CIW, fulfilling a promise she made as a student to support women behind bars once she became a lawyer.
Recognizing that some of her advocacies extend beyond the DOJ鈥檚 mandate, she also mobilized Kababaihan, an NGO she co-founded with her mother, former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez. The organization leads relief operations and campaigns against rape and violence against women, reinforcing her lifelong commitment to justice and social impact.
Gutierrez is the sole female undersecretary of the Department of Justice. 鈥擟ontributed photo
Gutierrez was recognized alongside distinguished personalities, including furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue, TV host and author Cory Quirino, eventologist and host Tim Yap, and former Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Dee, among others.
鈥淕rateful and honored to be named one of the Top 50 Influential People in the Philippines! Thank you to Rising Tigers for this recognition, and congratulations to all my fellow awardees! This recognition fuels my commitment to continue advocating for justice, supporting Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs), empowering women, and uplifting Filipinos in need. I will continue to contribute to nation-building and work towards a Bagong Pilipinas,鈥� Gutierrez wrote on her Facebook page.