Latest news with #JesusCrispinRemulla
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
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
GMA Network
20-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
DOJ commemorates National Refugee Day
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday launched an event in commemoration of National Refugee Day in June, saying it is reaffirming its commitment in aiding refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless persons in the Philippines. The event was attended by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, DOJ Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit head Dennis Arvin Chan, Presidential Communications Office Assistant Secretary for Legal Aristotle Valera, UNHCR Philippines Head of National Office Maria Ermina Valdeavilla-Gallardo, and Syrian refugee Abdulkarim Alhalabi. 'As the Secretary of Justice, I pledge to further strengthen our systems, expand our partnerships, and uphold the rights of all persecuted people who seek asylum,' Remulla said in his speech. 'Let the upcoming National Refugee Day renew our commitment to compassion, to inclusion, and to justice, as this is not merely an act of policy, but an act of solidarity,' he added. The DOJ said that the week of National Refugee Day will open with a Blue Monday commemoration, followed by a National Refugee Conference. Other activities that will take place in the week include: • PhilSys Registration Day in coordination with the Philippine Statistics Authority; • Solidarity Bazaar featuring refugee-led businesses; • 3rd Refugee Film Festival and Solidarity Football Match in partnership with UNHCR Philippines, Football for Humanity, and San Beda University; and • Orientation on Local Integration and an information session on facilitated naturalization for newly recognized refugees. According to the DOJ, Presidential Proclamation No. 265, s.2023 declaring June 20 of every year National Refugee Day. — Joahna Lei Casilao/BM, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
24-04-2025
- Health
- Filipino Times
Bersamin, Remulla, Estrella named caretakers as Marcos leaves for Pope Francis funeral
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Thursday said he, along with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III, will serve as caretakers while President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. is away. Marcos and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos are set to leave Manila tonight to attend the funeral of Pope Francis on April 26 in Vatican City. World leaders from across the globe have confirmed their attendance to honor the late pontiff. The Vatican announced Pope Francis' death on Monday. He was 88 and had recently been hospitalized for complications from double pneumonia. According to Vatican physician Andrea Arcangeli, the Pope died due to a stroke and irreversible heart failure, as stated in the official death certificate. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. (0800 GMT) in St. Peter's Square.
South China Morning Post
28-03-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Philippines pulls Asean card on East Timor over extradition row. Will it work?
Advertisement Referring to the move by Asia's youngest country to seek entry into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Manila's Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said it was 'not going to be pleasant for East Timor', citing how the Philippines was 'one of the founding fathers of Asean'. The saga centres on a Timorese court approving an appeal by Arnolfo Teves Jnr, a former Philippine House of Representatives member, to block his extradition to his home country. Teves is accused of murdering his political rival Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and eight other people in 2023. The Philippines founded Asean with Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand in 1967. Brunei, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia joined in the following years. East Timor was granted observer status in Asean after its secession from Indonesia in 2002, with the bloc in 2022 agreeing 'in principle' to admit the country, allowing it access to the bloc's high-level meetings. Advertisement
