The University of the Philippines (UP) has been tapped by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in the review of the country’s Criminal Code.
"We wish to create a new penal code that not only reflects current values and conditions but also respects rights inherent to us all as human beings," said DOJ Undersecretary Raul T. Vasquez on Wednesday, Dec. 4.
Vasquez, who chairs the DOJ’s Criminal Code Committee (CCC), and UP Diliman Chancellor Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan signed on Tuesday, Dec. 3, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the review of the criminal code.
The DOJ said the review is meant to “ensure it is attuned and responsive to the needs of the modern times.”
Under the agreement, the DOJ said “both parties are to cooperate within the framework of their respective mandates in matters essential to improve existing penal laws such as conducting technical studies and legal research on law reforms, capacity building and information sharing.”
“The MOU clearly provides that the DOJ is mainly responsible to provide the resources needed for the implementation of MOU subject to the availability of funds and in accordance with the law,” it said.
“In addition, the DOJ is tasked in the partnership to share data, attribute intellectual property, and recognize UP as its official partner in research and capacity building activities,” it added.