DOJ chief vows more reforms to improve PHL criminal justice prosecution system

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has vowed to introduce more reforms to improve the country’s judicial system, particularly in the conduct of investigation and prosecution of crimes.

Part of these reforms was Remulla’s issuance last Tuesday of Department of Justice (DOJ) Circular No. 011 that puts cap on the bail amount for indigents facing criminal court proceedings except for crimes punishable by death, reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment.

T he new circular, which took effect immediately, will cut into half any bail bond amount being implemented by prosecutors based on the 2018 Bail Bond Guide and will put a cap on the bail amount P10,000 for qualified indigents.

Under the DOJ guidelines on the recommendation of bail amounts in criminal information, if the person undergoing preliminary investiga-

THE House Committee on Dangerous Drugs on Tuesday started hearing the controversial measure legalizing cannabis for medicinal use.

H ouse Bill 6783 authored by former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez seeks to remove cannabis or marijuana from the list of illegal drugs and substances. Delisting the weed will legalize its medicinal use. House Committee on Dangerous tion or inquest proceedings claims to be indigent and has no record of being delinquent or recidivist, he or she is required to submit certificates of indigency from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and from the chairperson of his or her barangay.

Remulla said he expects the new circular to significantly decongest the country’s jail and detention facilities when implemented along with Department Circular No. 008A, which was issued last February 10.

T he circular compels prosecutors to only file cases with “reasonable certainty of conviction” based on material evidence and witnesses.

Prior to this, investigating prosecutors recommend the filing of criminal cases against respondents in criminal cases upon the finding of probable cause.

T he DOJ said the filing of weak cases contributes to the congestion problem in jails and detention facilities.

“ There are other reforms that we

Drugs Chairman Robert Ace Barbers, however, clarified that the bill does not allow the recreational use of cannabis, but will only allow its use for “medicinal purposes.”

Recently, more and more countries are easing regulations on the said drug for medicinal purposes. Other countries have already allowed its recreational use. For our purposes, we will limit it for medicinal purposes,” Barbers explained. It is just a matter of time before will be implementing within the next few weeks concerning our judicial system,” Remulla said.

He also disclosed ongoing discussions to establish the so-called case build-up rule where prosecutors are allowed to leave their offices and go with the police during evidence gathering and interview of witnesses.

T he DOJ secretary said the set-up is similar to the US District Attorney (DA) system.

Actually, our aim here is similar to the DA system. It’s more like a blue-collar job since there is really a need for the prosecutor to go out of the office to personally see the crime scene, talk to the people to ensure that you have strong basis to file a case,” the DOJ chief explained.

Remulla stressed that the filing of cases should not be treated as a contest among policemen on who has the highest number of cases filed in courts but rather to ensure that cases filed have enough basis to secure a conviction of the accused.

Prior to this, Remulla announced we are deluged with calls to open our eyes and minds to the latest scientific developments now benefiting humanity. There is growing evidence that cannabis oil and other derivatives are helping seriously ill patients, both young and old, who are otherwise considered helpless and unproductive for the rest of their lives. If our chemical heavy pharma couldn’t find the cure to these illnesses, why would we stand in the way and deprive the with prospective investors leading to greater FDI inflows.”

That the 60-40 ownership cap has apparently been a damper on foreign investor appetite is borne out, he said, by official data pointing to continued weak FDI inflows despite our country’s investmentgrade ratings and status as one of Asia’s economic over-achievers,” the lawmaker said.

C iting Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data, Villafuerte noted that FDI inflows retreated by over 13 percent over the January-November 2022 period to $8.43 billion from $9.74 billion in the same period in 2021.

He said even President Marcos’ economic managers apparently see no significant reversal of this FDI downtrend in the near future as they had reportedly slashed their FDI target for 2023 to $11 billion from the original $12.5 billion.

Earlier, Villafuerte had pointed out that despite a troika of businessfriendly laws signed during the previous administration, FDI inflows have not been as large as those streaming to our Southeast Asian neighbors because our inward-looking Constitution prohibits foreigners from taking full control of Philippine corporations and owning lands needed for their local businesses.

Hence, he said, a Con-Con comprising duly elected delegates is the more feasible route, in lieu of the ConAss option, as he asserted on TV that the House would go ahead on this latest Charter change initiative even if the President claimed recently that amending our Constitution is not one of his administration’s priorities.

Villafuerte said the House is targeting to make a final decision on this matter before the year is over, “and maybe we can have a plebiscite by the first quarter of next year.”

Villafuerte pointed out that the best time for Charter change to happen is right now at the start of the Marcos presidency when such an initiative wouldn’t raise doubts about a possible hidden agenda to extend terms of incumbent elective officials. HB 4926 calls for the election of Con-Con delegates at one representative per legislative district. There are currently 243 congressional districts in the country.

Rizal, Quezon IPs receive ‘disturbance fees’ for Kaliwa Dam project–MWSS

that around 35 medical doctors and several prosecutors will be part of a class that will undergo training in the field of forensic pathology and investigative work in relation to wrongful death cases.

T he training class will be part of the forensic program that United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions Dr. Morris Tidball-Binz is expected to launch upon his return to the country either in May or August.

D r. Morris Tidball-Binz visited the country last February 6 to February 9 to help capacitate Filipino doctors and enhance their practice to achieve international standard practices, particularly in conducting autopsies.

Remulla admitted that forensic pathology is one of the important things that have been neglected in the part under the legal system.

T he training, according to Remulla, will ultimately boost the government’s capacity to handle and probe cases of wrongful or untimely deaths.

afflicted of relief and enjoyment of their lives,” Barbers said.

T he lawmaker said it is about time that the Congress looks at the positive side of cannabis.

If there is a good side to it, then by all means we should consider it. Look at the substance amphetamine, a major component of shabu. It is a critical component or ingredient of many medicines now being consumed worldwide,” Barbers said.

Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

NOT even a morning drizzle can stop the residents of Manila’s 6th Legislative District who flocked to Vice Mayor Yul Servo Nieto’s medical mission on Sunday, February 19, at Barangay 873 in Sta. Ana, Manila.

It was Nieto’s 10th Medical Mission since being elected for his first term as Manila vice mayor. Over 11,000 Manila residents have already benefited from his previous medical outreach programs. “ Health concerns affect everyone, but bringing health services to the poor remains a challenge for public servants. It is my desire to help lessen the health burdens of poor Manila residents, which is why we are redoubling our efforts to reach as many barangays as we can with our medical missions,” Nieto said.

To ensure the success of his health outreach program, the Manila Vice Mayor’s Office has partnered with other Manila City government offices, the Philippine Coast Guard, and private professional and business groups, among others. Apart from providing free medical and wellness services, last Sunday’s medical mission also served free food and distributed a kilo of rice to Manila residents. Volunteer doctors gave free general health check-ups, and performed minor surgery. Dental care services were also provided by the mission’s volunteer dentists. Patients found to be needing eyeglasses by the mission’s volunteer doctors got their eyeglasses for free. Other patients availed themselves of the mission’s free laboratory services such as blood sugar screening and urinalysis.

Patients Belinda Castro and

LEADERS of Dumagat-Remontado indigenous groups in Rizal and Quezon provinces received Tuesday over P160 million worth of “disturbance fees” for the construction of the P12.2-billion New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam Project (NCWS-KDP).

I n an interview on the sidelines of turnover rites, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Administrator Leonor Cleofas said that through the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), each indigenous people organization (IPO) of Tanay and General Nakar got P80 million in disturbance fees under the memorandum of agreement (MOA).

Cleofas said the NCIP will supervise the implementation of the livelihood programs and projects of these IPOs.

She added the agency has been cooperating with the local government

Anna May Calderon, who are both residents of Manila’s Sixth District, thanked Vice Mayor Nieto for the medical mission.

“Malaking tulong talaga itong programa ni vice mayor para sa aming kalusugan lalo na ngayong panahon na mahirap ang pera,” they said.

For its wellness and other services, the mission gave free massage, facial, haircut, aliskuto and anti-rabies vaccination of General Nakar in the last six years for the employment of IP communities in the preservation and protection of the watershed in the area.

During the turnover rites, Cleofas said the amount of disturbance fees are deposited in the Land Bank (LandBank) of the Philippines accounts of the IPOs.

She also expressed her elation over the turnover as this can lead to the continuation of the construction of the Kaliwa Dam.

At the end of 2026, the Kaliwa Dam will start operations and it will be fully operational by January 2027,” she said.

C leofas said the MOA provides that the 36 IP communities in General Nakar and 10 IP communities in Tanay will be entitled to P1 million each in financial assistance every year once the Kaliwa Dam starts full operations in 2027. PNA to registered participants. The mission also provided free legal consultation and assisted those who needed help with their Civil Registry and national ID concerns, among others.

Patient Ma. Nelia Sapulmo, a resident of District 6, thanked the vice mayor and those involved in the medical mission.

“Maraming salamat po Vice Nieto at sa inyong lahat na kasama sa programang ito. Sana tuloy tuloy lang ito.”

Vittorio V. Vitug