United States Senator Edward J. Markey and Philippines Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla tackled various areas of cooperation to enhance further programs on transparency and protection of human rights.
Markey and Remulla had a meeting last Thursday, Aug. 18, at the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila, said DOJ Spokesperson Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV.
“Yesterday, there was a very good discussion on how US Senator Markey and his congressional delegate could help us in our programs to further transparency, further human rights,” Clavano said.
“And the Secretary was very receptive to the suggestions of the good US senator,” he said.
He said the two officials “spoke about programs where the US and the Philippines could cooperate.”
“The US will provide support and assistance to our prosecutors to train them as well as the police, para po mas maganda ang maging takbo ng ating prosecution of cases, criminal cases (so that the prosecution of criminal cases will run smoothly),” he also said.
During the meeting, Clavano said that Remulla told Markey of the Philippine government’s plan to amend Rule 112 of the Rules of Court on the preliminary investigations being conducted by government prosecutors.
He said Remulla explained that the aim of the amendment is for improved case build up and for the police to gather better evidence.
“This is for us to be able to increase or to strengthen 'yung conviction rate natin (our conviction rate),” he said.
Clavano said that the secretary also informed the senator of the problems of government prosecutors, particularly on uncooperative witnesses.
Other details of the meeting were not disclosed by Clavano.