The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) have come together for the introduction of the reformed Preliminary Investigation Rules among legal practitioners.
“This I believe ushers in a great promise for criminal investigation, we believe that with the synergy, the cooperation and coordination that will be established henceforth with the rollout of the DOJ Rules on Preliminary Investigation and Inquest Proceedings, we would be able to ensure that the Filipino people will have a faster, efficient and less expensive administration of justice,” Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said.
On September 30, the DOJ and IBP formalized this partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement or MOA. DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla was present on behalf of his Department, and the IBP was represented by its National President, Atty. Antonio Pido.
Both parties pledged to ensure the efficiency and efficacy of the roll-out through coordinated efforts, like in the formation of a Technical Working Group.
The justice department has been tasked with the organization of dissemination seminars, such as tapping resource speakers; the IBP, meanwhile, will prompt coordination among its chapters everywhere in the country and manage an information campaign via their social media, website, etc.
“Very welcome development po ito para maintindihan ng mga lawyers natin lalo na sa probinsya kung ano itong concept of reasonable certainty of conviction na kailangang ma-overcome para maayos na ma-file sa husgado,” Pido stated.
(This is a very welcome development, so our lawyers, especially those in the province, will understand the concept of reasonable certainty of conviction, which needs to be overcome for proper filing in court.)
“We in the DOJ have been implementing lasting and game-changing reforms/initiatives for the faster, more efficient and less expensive administration of justice,” Remulla said.
The MOA will be valid for two years, unless either party informs the other of intentions for its early termination.
