The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) formally inked their partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) intended to organize the roll-out and information dissemination of the New Rules on Preliminary Investigation among legal practitioners.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Boying Remulla represented the DOJ in the official signing of the manifesto, while IBP National President and Chairperson of the 26th Board of Governors Atty. Antonio C. Pido inked for the other party.
Under the MOA, both Parties have the responsibility to establish an efficient communication and coordination mechanism to operationalize the stipulations agreed upon which include the creation of a Technical Working Group if deemed necessary, to ensure that the roll-out and information campaign about the new Preliminary Investigation Rules are smoothly carried out.
“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,” Usec. Raul T. Vasquez stressed.
For the DOJ’s part, the preparation and finalization of logistics, including the supply of resource speakers who will teach lawyers regarding the new PI rules are among its main responsibilities.
On the other hand, the IBP shall be in-charge of coordination among its chapters nationwide about the roll-out and information campaign concerning the revolutionized PI rules, as well as the sharing of information through its IBP database (social media, website, among others) to assure that every member will receive the information.
“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," IBP National President Antonio Pido said”
“We are all gathered here to witness yet another momentous Memorandum of Agreement signed with our dear partners from the IBP... We in the DOJ have been implementing lasting and game-changing reforms/initiatives for the faster, more efficient and less expesive administration of justice," SOJ Remulla added”
This MOA shall be effective commencing upon execution by all parties and shall remain in force for two (2) years unless any of the parties notifies the other of its intention to terminate the Agreement prior to the intended termination date at least ninety (90) days prior to the effective termination date.
