Remulla’s goal for DOJ: ‘High-quality cases’
FILE PHOTO: Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla. INQUIRER FILES
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla advised state prosecutors on Wednesday to pursue “high-quality cases,” or those with strong prospects of conviction.
The chief of the Department of Justice (DOJ) said a higher degree of proof should be required right at the filing of criminal cases to narrow the “great divide” between probable cause, or the reasonable belief based on evidence that a crime has been committed, and “proof beyond reasonable doubt,” which is required to establish guilt after the trial.
The Cabinet official spoke of raising the standard for DOJ prosecutors a week after his son was acquitted of illegal drug possession by a Las Piñas City court, where the judge cited lapses in the handling of evidence presented by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
“[I]n order to file high-quality cases, prosecutors should not just pursue cases on the basis of a finding of probable cause, but also on the existence of a reasonable certainty of conviction,” the DOJ chief said during the fourth leg of the Justice Zone Dialogue series held in Baguio City.
Unburdening the system
According to Remulla, the DOJ has embarked on training programs intended to arm its prosecutors and other stakeholders with the skills needed to ensure the successful prosecution of criminal cases.
By raising the evidentiary standard for the filing of criminal cases, government prosecutors can help unburden the justice system by giving judges more time to hear cases where the evidence against the accused is more complete, Remulla said.
Questions over evidence led Judge Ricardo Moldez II of the Las Piñas City Regional Trial Court Branch 197 to acquit the justice secretary’s son, Juanito Jose Remulla III, on Jan. 6.
The younger Remulla was arrested in October last year for being the alleged recipient of a package shipped from the United States and containing close to a kilo of “kush,” or high-grade marijuana, worth P1.3 million.
In the court decision, Moldez said the prosecutors failed to prove that the younger Remulla knew he was going to receive the package of illegal drugs and that he intended to keep it.
The judge also cited lapses on the part of PDEA regarding the chain of custody of the evidence against the accused.
Judiciary concerns
Remulla’s son faces a separate charge for drug importation and violation of the customs law, which is pending before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office.
At Wednesday’s event in Baguio City, Remulla, Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos reaffirmed their commitment to work together for the swift and fair dispensation of justice to all Filipinos.
The dialogue was the fourth to be organized by the Justice Sector Coordinating Council, a body composed of the Supreme Court, the DOJ and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
It was held to provide an opportunity for the judiciary to discuss current concerns and challenges faced by the different agencies in the sector, Gesmundo said.
The first three dialogues were held in the cities of Cebu, Davao and Naga.
