DOJ, UP sign cooperation to improve PH penal code

The Department of Justice and the University of the Philippines sign a memorandum of understanding formalizing their cooperation to improve the country’s penal code on Tuesday, Dec. 3. (L-R: UP Dean College of Law Darlene Berberabe, UP Chancellor Edgardo Vistan II, DOJ Usecs. Raul Vasquez, Jose Cadiz Jr., Jesse Andres) | Photo from DOJ

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has signed a manifesto with the University of the Philippines (UP) to work together in improving the country’s penal laws.

The cooperation between the DOJ and UP was formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by DOJ Undersecretaries Raul Vasquez, Jose Cadiz Jr., and Jesse Andres and UP Diliman Chancellor Edgardo Carlo Vistan II as witnessed by UP College of Law Dean Darlene Berberabe on Tuesday.

“This manifesto openly acknowledges that both parties are to cooperate within the framework of their respective mandates in matters essential to improve existing penal laws such as conducting technical studies and legal research on law reforms, capacity building and information sharing,” the DOJ said in a statement on Wednesday.

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Under the MOU, the DOJ is tasked to provide the resources needed for the agreement’s implementation—subject to the availability of funds and in accordance with the law. The department is also tasked to share data, attribute intellectual property, and recognize UP as its official partner in research and capacity-building activities.

“We wish to create a new penal code that not only reflects current values and conditions but also respects rights inherent to us all as human beings,” the DOJ quoted Vasquez as saying.

Meanwhile, UP will undertake the activities under the MOU, and also provide reference materials, resource persons, research studies, and full cooperation with the activities implemented by the DOJ.

“We are now committed specifically and formally to provide the services of the University of the Philippines that the Department of Justice needs. It’s about time that we put in our resources, rationalize and reconcile our work and eventually make our criminal laws understandable and accessible not only to lawyers,” Vistan said.

Either the DOJ or UP may then choose to terminate the MOU upon a written notice to the other party, and a termination date of at least 30 days from receipt of the other party.