The United States government on Monday turned over more than 2,000 copies of the 2017 edition of Manual for Prosecutors and Developed Projects Outputs to the Department of Justice that is expected to help prosecutors to speed up resolution of cases pending in the DOJ.
Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II accepted the manual of prosecutors from US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Y. Kim, American Bar Association-Rule of Law Initiative country director Robert La Mont and International Development Law Organization field program director Atty. Cathleen Cagaanan during the turnover rites held at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.
Aguirre said the copies of the manual will be immediately distributed to the prosecutors.
According to the Justice Secretary, the updating of the 2008 vintage Manual of Prosecutors is a welcome development, noting that the latest edition of the manual is not only a cherished improvement but it is also in line with the agency’s efforts to improve its services to the people.
“From the time that I started my stewardship of your DOJ, one of our avowed purpose is to leave it better than when we found it. The nine years that stand between the former and the present edition of the manual has seen dynamic changes in the laws, the rules and in the court decisions that impact heavily on how our prosecutors discharge their duties. Undeniably, this facelift is a very timely and a most welcome infusion,” Aguirre said, in his welcome speech.
Noting that the user-friendly three-volume manual will now be readily available for the use of prosecutors in the field, Aguirre said it is most fervent hopes that the resolutions that will be produced by such usage will not only be viable instruments of justice, but should also stand up to scrutiny in the crucible of review.
“I think the resolution of cases will be fast. First, it contains procedures on how to handle the proceedings during the preliminary investigation in different forms with guide. It will also be a big help to new prosecutors because there is sample and templates. This is really a big help to us,” the Justice Secretary said.
Aguirre thanked valuable partners in the undertaking, namely the International Development Law Organization, and the American Bar Association-Rule of Law Initiative for helping the agency realize the prosecutors’ goal not only to update the manual but also to recharge and to reinvigorate it.
“I also wish to thank his Excellency, Mr. Ambassador Sung Y. Kim and the staff of the US Embassy for making this event a reality,” he said.
“Of course, approbation and profuse congratulations are also in order for all our prosecutors, particularly those under the DOJ Special Projects Division or SPD. They are the ones whose labors, valued inputs and incisive insights, spread over countless hours, have rightfully given them the right to call the 2017 edition of the manual, their baby,” Aguirre added.
The DOJ chief also revealed the establishment of DOJ Academy and Training Center, the in depth study and discussion of the manual will be one of the prescribed courses that will be implemented when we orient and train our future prosecutors.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Manila said the materials are the product of a multiyear effort by the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) to enhance the capacity of Philippine prosecutors.
“The revised manuals and other training materials will be distributed to prosecutors nationwide,” the embassy said.
The embassy added that the endeavor “represents the shared U.S.-Philippine commitment to the rule of law and the foundation of a partnership designed to support the development of a comprehensive curriculum for the National Prosecution Service.”
It adds: “This project builds on the national priorities of the Philippine government to better equip prosecutors with the skills needed to handle increasingly complex cases, such as cybercrime and transnational criminal cases.”