By Rey Panaligan
Officials and agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) are now included in the electronic subpoena or e-subpoena system to ensure their presence in court trials involving illegal drugs cases.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
The e-subpoena system was first adopted by the SC for the Philippine National Police (PNP) in 2014. It is now being implemented nationwide for police officers and men who are summoned to appear during trial of criminal cases.
For PDEA, the system was recommended by Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez and was approved by the SC as a full court.
Under the e-subpoena system, court personnel enter details of the subpoena in the PNP's database using an e-subpoena form. Once sent, the PNP unit's court process officer acknowledges receipt and will inform the police officer being summoned.
Within three days from receipt of the e-subpoena, the PNP is required to inform the court of the summoned officer's availability for the hearing. Any police officer summoned through the e-subpoena and who does not appear in hearing without a valid reason could face both administrative and criminal cases.
"Considering that PDEA agents and personnel are likewise called as witnesses in several drug cases, electronic service of subpoena will address the problem of delay of service through registered mail to vital witnesses and eventually expedite the hearing and disposition of cases," Marquez said in his recommendation.
With its approval, the SC authorized Marquez to forge an agreement with PDEA for the implementation of the e-subpoena system.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
The e-subpoena system was first adopted by the SC for the Philippine National Police (PNP) in 2014. It is now being implemented nationwide for police officers and men who are summoned to appear during trial of criminal cases.
For PDEA, the system was recommended by Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez and was approved by the SC as a full court.
Under the e-subpoena system, court personnel enter details of the subpoena in the PNP's database using an e-subpoena form. Once sent, the PNP unit's court process officer acknowledges receipt and will inform the police officer being summoned.
Within three days from receipt of the e-subpoena, the PNP is required to inform the court of the summoned officer's availability for the hearing. Any police officer summoned through the e-subpoena and who does not appear in hearing without a valid reason could face both administrative and criminal cases.
"Considering that PDEA agents and personnel are likewise called as witnesses in several drug cases, electronic service of subpoena will address the problem of delay of service through registered mail to vital witnesses and eventually expedite the hearing and disposition of cases," Marquez said in his recommendation.
With its approval, the SC authorized Marquez to forge an agreement with PDEA for the implementation of the e-subpoena system.