JUSTICE Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Monday ordered random drug tests for its officials, prosecutors and employees to cleanse its ranks of those involved in illegal drugs.
In his speech during the 119th anniversary of the Department of Justice, Aguirre again warned employees not to dabble in illegal activities, including the illegal drugs trade.
“For justice to work, we have to work. For the people to believe, we have to see to it that they can believe in prosecutors. We cannot prosecute if we ourselves are tainted by the very drugs we seek to eradicate,’’ Aguirre told DoJ employees, prosecutors and other Justice officials.
He stressed that DoJ will play a great part in the administration’s effort to dismantle illegal drugs syndicates operating in the country and the prosecution of those behind such activities and as such, its actions, even resolutions issued should be credible.
“The DoJ will play a great part in the President’s effort to have a crime-free Philippines but great powers come with great responsibility. We have to see to it that they believe in our prosecutors,” DoJ chief said.
The DoJ chief said erring employees of the department will be prosecuted to the fullest intent of the law as he called on them to work with him in fulfilling the mandate of the department.
“Deal with drugs and you will find neither refuge nor respite from the law. Please stop it, please stop it and if despite this warning you continue your corrupt ways, the full resources of the DoJ will be thrown against you,’’ Aguirre said.
The Justice Secretary pointed out that the present administration will “no longer tolerate criminals… It is now time to turn the tables on them.”
However, Aguirre’s speech is not all about warning of dire consequences for those who violate the law, as he announced the release of P1, 500 starting today, of additional allowance to DOJ employees.
He said the amount is just a start adding that he will see to it that there would be additional benefits for them.
“This will be credited to your ATMs starting September 2016. This is just a start,” Aguirre said, eliciting applause from the assembled employees. He also announced the acquisition of equipment, including office supplies, worth P3 million for the use of prosecutors nationwide.
He said he would also see to it that prosecutors get much-need Mandatory Continuing Legal Education to enhance their competence.
Aguirre also vowed to work for the establishment of a DOJ Academy to train future prosecutors.
“This academy is for the training and enhancement of our prosecutors. It is really my hope and my fervent wish that this will be established and up in running in my stint,’ he said.