The United States government has committed to help the Philippines’ Department of Justice (DOJ) to set up its own Prosecutors Academy.
In a press statement, the DOJ said the commitment was conveyed last Wednesday, Oct. 23, by visiting officials of the US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Officials (INL) and the International Development Law Organization (IDLO).
Officials of INL and IDLO are in the Philippines for the 3rd Philippines-US Bilateral Maritime Dialogue.
“Officials of both governments recognized the vital role of strong prosecutorial institutions in maintaining public trust and ensuring effective justice systems,” the DOJ said.
“Thus, among the joint projects that they agreed to undertake are the establishment of the DOJ Academy as a permanent training institution for prosecutors, and the launching of a mentoring program of prosecutors,” it also said.
The US officials engaged in the dialogue are INL Deputy Assistant Secretary Brandon Yoder, INL Deputy Director in the Philippines Luke Bruns, and IDLO-Philippines country manager Siavash Rahbari.
They were met by DOJ Undersecretary and Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Jesse Hermoneges T, Andres and OIC Prosecutor General Richard Anthony D. Fadullon.
During the meeting, the DOJ officials expressed gratitude for “the help of the US government in capacitating prosecutors in investigating and prosecuting money laundering, terrorism financing, and environmental crimes.”
On their part, the US officials assured the DOJ of “needed support in sustaining the gains that the partnership has so far achieved.”