SC wants e-subpoena system implemented

The Supreme Court has ordered the strict implementation of the  electronic subpoena system, or e-subpoena, in lower courts across the country to deal with the failure of Philippine National Police process officers to attend to their court duties.

Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez reminded first and second level courts, whose personnel had completed the required training, that they should immediately enforce the new paperless subpoena scheme.

Marquez signed Circular No. 244-2017 on Dec. 21, authorizing trial courts to use their monthly “extraordinary and miscellaneous expense allowance” to finance the project, which the high court jointly launched with the PNP in 2014.

The e-subpoena uses internet-based information system to remind the court process officer of the PNP unit regarding the schedule of court hearings that required the presence of its personnel. —Marlon Ramos