DOJ launches training program for prosecutors, law enforcement agents
The Department of Justice (DOJ) with other agencies launched Tuesday the Training and Education Program for DOJ Prosecutors Law Enforcement Agents (TEPLEA), the official implementation of the department circular allowing prosecutors to take an active role in investigations.
Present in the event were Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago, PNP chief Police General Nicolas Torre III, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and the Philippine Coast Guard.
'Sabi ko nga, it's not a new invention. But it's something that should be institutionalized for the rest of time. Dapat ito maging [standard operating procedure] ng ating kapulisan, ng DOJ, ng ating NBI, ng ating Coast Guard, ng ating PDEA na mag tulong-tulong para mabuo ang kaso,' Justice Secretary Remulla said.
(As I said, it's not a new invention. But it's something that should be institutionalized for the rest of time. This should become the standard operating procedure for our police, the DOJ, the NBI, the Coast Guard, and the PDEA to work together in building a case.)
Remulla recalled instances of unprepared witnesses during trials when he was a practicing lawyer, saying they were easy pickings for him and lawyers who sought to have their clients acquitted.
'And that gave me an idea, really. That should not happen. Hindi dapat nangyayari ito sa atin sapagkat mas mahalaga ang papel ng pulis at piskal sa ating lipunan kaysa sa abugado na dumedepensa. Kung tutuusin,' he said.
(And that gave me an idea, really. That should not happen. This should not be happening to us because the role of the police and the prosecutor in our society is more important than that of the defense lawyer, if you think about it.)
'Syempre the right to counsel is very important. It's a constitutional right. But for the right for society to have those who violated its laws punished by the law should be paramount. It should have primacy in our priorities,' he added.
(Of course, the right to counsel is very important. It's a constitutional right. But the right of society to have those who violated its laws punished by the law should be paramount. It should have primacy in our priorities.)
'Disconnect'
Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Remulla said there was a 'disconnect' between the PNP and the DOJ for the longest time.
'Everytime there's a case to be solved, a case to be prosecuted, each department blames each other. The police blames the fiscals, the fiscals blame the police. This time it stops. This time we work together. This time we train together. This time we learn together. And this time, we win together,' he said.
The officials signed a pledge of commitment and support for TEPLEA.
They vowed to uphold the rule of law, strengthen inter-agency collaboration, pursue continuous learning and growth, and to strengthen institutional capacity, among others.
Meanwhile, in an ambush interview, Justice spokesperson Atty. Mico Clavano said that the TEPLEA is the official rollout of Department Circular No. 20, which directs prosecutors to take an active role in the investigation of crimes, particularly during the case build-up.
Clavano said that the prosecutors will be trained in handling certain crimes such as drugs, kidnapping, and murder, among others.
According to Clavano, around 1,800 prosecutors and law enforcement agents have been trained. He said the government is seeking to double the numbers by the end of 2025.
'Tumaas na po yung conviction rate natin by about 14%. Ibig po sabihin yan, 'yung mga kaso na finafile natin sa court, eh, ina-acknowledge ng judge na malakas din talaga. Dahil nakakapag-produce po tayo ng mga convictions,' he said.
(The conviction rate has increased by about 14%. This means that the cases we file in court are acknowledged by judges as being strong because we are able to produce convictions.) — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
'Kaya ang gusto natin ma-feel ng taong bayan na kung isang tao ay na-file na ng isang criminal case sa court, kabahan na. Dahil mas malaki ang possibility and probability na ma-convict ang isang tao na finailan ng kaso sa court,' he added.
(That's why we want the public to feel that if a person has had a criminal case filed in court, they should be worried because there is now a greater possibility and probability that the person charged will be convicted.)a
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