The Department of Justice–National Prosecution Service (DOJ-NPS) has launched the third edition of its Manual for Prosecutors, aimed at strengthening case handling and improving the delivery of justice for the public.
Justice Secretary Fredderick A. Vida said prosecutors play a crucial role in the justice system as both advocates of the State and “ministers of justice,” tasked with ensuring fairness, impartiality, and the proper application of the rule of law.
“Prosecutors occupy a unique and indispensable role in the justice system. They serve not only as advocates of the State but, more importantly, as ministers of justice whose foremost duty is to uphold the rule of law and ensure that justice is served fairly and impartially,” Sec. Vida said.
The launch was held at the Dusit Thani Manila Hotel in Makati City and attended by regional and provincial prosecutors, along with representatives from the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) and the European Union–Governance in Justice (EU-GOJUST) programme, including Country Manager and Team Leader Siavash Rahbari.
EU-GOJUST provided technical and capacity-building support for the updated manual, which reflects reforms aligned with the evolving needs of the criminal justice system.
The manual includes updated DOJ circulars that revise procedures in preliminary investigation and inquest proceedings, as well as rules on summary and expedited investigations intended to streamline case processing and reduce court congestion.
Among these is DOJ Circular No. 015, which updates rules on preliminary investigation and inquest proceedings, and introduces a revised evidentiary threshold requiring a stronger basis for filing cases in court.
Also included is DOJ Circular No. 028, which provides streamlined procedures for summary and expedited investigations for certain offenses, aimed at improving efficiency in lower-level cases.
Sec. Vida said the reforms are designed to ease case backlog, reduce delays in the justice system, and reinforce adherence to due process.
EU-GOJUST reaffirmed its continued support for justice sector reforms in the Philippines, noting its long-standing partnership with local institutions in strengthening prosecutorial capacity and professionalism.