Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 26) — In a bid to achieve a higher conviction rate in courts, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have set up a “training program” to bridge the gap between prosecutors and law enforcers.
Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres said the training program for law enforcers is a first of a series to be conducted nationwide “to improve case build-up or evidence gathering capability for cases that are worthy of filing in court.”
“Pinapasama na ho natin ngayon ang mga prosecutor sa mga police officers, NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) para makatulong siguro sa pagturo kung anong magandang ebidensya dahil pagdating sa isang crime scene, yung mga law enforcement agencies kadalasan ay di nila ma-determine kung anong magandang ebidensya or testimonies na kailangang kunin,” Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano explained.
[Translation: We are asking prosecutors to join police officers, the NBI to help in pointing out useful evidence because in crime scenes, law enforcement agencies often cannot determine what evidence or testimonies should be taken.]
According to the DOJ, 80% of cases filed by prosecutors are dismissed by courts because of lack of evidence or due to technicalities.
Clavano said it is worse in the prosecution level where 90-95% of complaints filed are dismissed due to lack of documents or technicalities.
Top PNP leaders said they are aware of the problem.
“At this moment, meron lang kaming 21.4% conviction rate. Hopefully, after this training tataas ang conviction rate. Sana matupad ang hangarin na mapataas at mabigyan ng tamang hustisya ang mga nabibiktima ng krimen,” PNP acting chief for directorial staff PMGen Emmanuel Peralta said.
[Translation: At this moment, we only have a 21.4% conviction rate. Hopefully, after this training, the conviction rate will rise. I hope that the desire to increase the conviction rate is achieved so that justice will be given to victims of crime.]
Justice Secretary Boying Remulla earlier issued a department order tapping prosecutors to help law enforcers in the investigation and case build-up.
CNN Philippines correspondent Anjo Alimario contributed to this report
