Sixty newly-appointed Prosecution Attorneys from prosecution offices all over the Philippines began their onboarding training on January 20, 2025 through the 1st Comprehensive Assimilation (COMPASS) Training for Newly-Appointed Prosecutors. The COMPASS Training, delivered by a pool of prosecutor-trainers from the National Prosecution Service, combines four courses that prosecutors must undergo to become competent and efficient agents of justice. These are the Orientation Seminar for Newly-Appointed Prosecutors (OSNAP), Trial Advocacy Course (TAC), Techniques in Witness Handling Course (WHC), and Review of the Revised Penal Code (RPC).
The COMPASS is the starting point in every newly-appointed prosecutor’s capacity-development journey. The goal of the training is to ensure an increase in the participants’ knowledge and skills, and improvement in their attitude to become effective and ethical prosecution attorneys. The new PAs were also briefed on the newest issuances of the Department especially that pertaining to the quantum of proof of requiring prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction to ensure quality cases are filed before the courts.
The training was made possible through the Special Projects Division (SPD) of the Office of the Secretary of Justice Prosecution Staff with the support of the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) and the Bureau of International Law and Narcotics of the U.S. Department of State.
Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon and IDLO country manager Siavash Rahbari graced the opening ceremony. PG Fadullon reminded the prosecution attorneys to do their job well by staying committed to their duty to the public that they serve. He expressed trust and confidence to the newest members of the NPS that they will perform their functions with vigor.
"You hold the power to transform lives by upholding the rule of law. Join us in our mission to deliver real justice in real time. Embrace this opportunity with an open mind and a sincere heart, become a catalyst for change in our criminal justice system," Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin " Boying" C. Remulla stressed the new prosecutors.
