DOJ readies guidelines on case buildup

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is expected to come out before the end of the month with draft guidelines on case build-up to improve the conviction rate in criminal cases. According to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, the guidelines intend to introduce the “game-changing mechanism” on case build-up to elevate the country’s prosecution success rate by improving the current investigation system. He said close coordination between the prosecutors and law enforcement agencies and higher quantum of proof are the two game-changing paradigms which will be introduced by the guidelines. —TINA G. SANTOS