By IRENE JOY DAYO
Philippine Information Agency 10
NORTHERN Mindanao prosecutor Merlyn Uy stated that prosecutors now have a proactive role. From the outset, they are engaged by law enforcers to collaborate with them. For instance, in cases covered under DC-20, such as murder cases, prosecutors assist in case build-up, evidence collection, and affidavit preparation. Once the assisting prosecutor determines that a case can be certified for preliminary investigation, a preliminary investigation is conducted. Additionally, whereas previously they only sought probable cause, Uy emphasized that now prosecutors look for prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction. Cases under CBU are not docketed immediately as they are subject to further case build-up.
Uy explained that all prosecution offices collaborate with local law enforcers for case build-up. For instance, if a crime occurs in Cagayan de Oro City, law enforcers can request an assisting prosecutor from the Office of the Prosecutor to work on the case build-up with them. Once the case is deemed appropriate for an inquest or preliminary investigation, it is filed with the Office of the City Prosecutor. She emphasized that the Regional Office of the Prosecution Service does not handle crime investigations but focuses on appeal cases from city or provincial prosecutors within the region.
Uy of the National Prosecution Service in Region 10 said in today’s Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas that their office adopted innovation and modern technologies to help ease in their operations. Few of these are video conferencing together with police officers and partner offices located in far areas, electronic inquest and electronic filing.
Meanwhile, regional public attorney Vivien Ines Mostrales of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO)- 10 emphasized during today’s Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas that they serve all clients whose needs are aligned with their services, no matter the status in life, sexual orientation, religion, and beliefs. Additionally, she said the payments they are receiving are being remitted to the government.
In today’s Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas, the DOJ-Regional Prosecution Service XIV (BARMM) shared that it conducted 16 training sessions for law enforcers on case build-up in 2023. This training aimed to help law enforcement agencies (LEAs) apply the DOJ circular on case build-up. A total of 554 LEAs received training, with 80 percent being PNP personnel and nine percent PDEA agents. An additional 12 sessions are planned for this year, targeting 160 participants in Lanao del Sur.
The Public Attorney’s Office in BARMM also reported in today’s Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas, that for the first semester of this year, it has assisted 113 clients for mediation and conciliation, 111 of which were settled and parties have entered into an amicable settlement in just one setting. It also provided 374 inquest assistance, 23,187 legal counseling from walk-in clients and phone callers, and 467 on social media platforms.
