De Lima hails appointment of 122 new prosecutors

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Justice Secretary Leila De Lima welcomed the appointment of 122 new prosecutors to the National Prosecution Service (NPS), saying it will ease the workload of other prosecutors and would expedite resolution of cases.

The prosecutors named by Malacañang were posted in almost all offices of the NPS from the National Capital Region to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

“We in the Department, especially the National Prosecution Service, have been eagerly anticipating these appointments to posts in various prosecution offices all over the country, especially the original appointment of new prosecutors,” De Lima said.

“Their assumption into office will hopefully allow us to redistribute the admittedly heavy workload of our current prosecutorial force and, thus, expedite the resolution of cases before the NPS,” De Lima added.

De Lima assured that the new prosecutors have strong work ethic and reputation for integrity, adding they will be able to “discharge their functions impartially and outside the influence of partisan politics.”

The NPS is headed by Prosecutor General Claro Arellano.

Of the new prosecutors, six were assigned in Muntinlupa City, five in Taguig City and nine in Valenzuela City, one in Apayao province, six in Cagayan province, one in Ifugao, four in Isabela including in the cities of Cauayan and Ilagan, one in Tabuk, Kalinga, four in Tuguegarao City, one assigned at the office of the regional prosecutor in Region 3, three in Bataan, one in Pampanga, three in San Fernando City, Pampanga, one each in Zambales and in Olongapo City, one each for Aurora province, Mindoro Occidental, Romblon and Quezon provinces, and Sta. Rosa City in Laguna.

In the Bicol region, 18 new prosecutors were appointed while three more were appointed in Region 10, 9 in Region 11, four in Region 12, and five in the ARMM.

Aside from these, Tabuk City in Kalinga also got a new deputy prosecutor while Apayao got another assistant provincial prosecutor.

Mabalacat City in Pampanga and General Santos City each got an additional city prosecutor while North Cotabato and Quezon provinces each got another provincial prosecutor.

De Lima said Malacañang will appoint more prosecutors in the coming days.

“The DOJ eagerly awaits the release of the other appointments that are still with the Office of the President. Undoubtedly, the immediate release of the same shall enable the DOJ to achieve its zero backlog policy of its cases and ultimately improve the administration of the criminal justice system in the country,” she added.