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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOJ, DENR agree to strengthen prosecution of environmental cases

DOJ, DENR agree to strengthen prosecution of environmental cases

Published Feb 21, 2025 05:15 am

The Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) forged on Friday, Feb. 21, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to strengthen the prosecution of environmental crimes.

The MOA was signed by DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla and DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Y. Loyzaga.

The agreement will allow closer coordination and collaboration in the prosecution of environmental cases and includes, among others, the deputation of DENR lawyers as prosecutors in environmental cases.

“This memorandum of agreement is so important to both our offices, and finally we leave somehting in place that will ensure the environmental justice is done," Remulla said. 

Among the laws involving the environment are the Philippines' Wildlife Act under Republic Act No. 9147; National Integrated Protected Areas System, RA 7586 and 11038; Clean Air Act, RA 8749; Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, RA 9003; the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act, RA 8371; Philippine Plant Variety Protection Act, RA 9168; and Toxic Substances & Hazardous & Nuclear Wastes Act, RA 6969.

DOJ Undersecretary Jesse Hermogenes T. Andres said the MOA shows that “the Philippine government is serious in enforcing environmental justice.”

“We are strengthening our institutions by strengthening our partnership with the CSOs (civil society organizations), the law enforcers and the prosecutors,” he said.

Andres explained “this MOA will help operationalize the DOJ’s case build-up policy under Department Circular No. 20-B, ensuring that environmental cases brought before our prosecutors are backed by solid evidence that can stand in court.”

He said the agreement also provides “complete mechanisms for capacity building, case monitoring and sustained inter-agency collaboration.”

This includes the training of prosecutors and law enforcers on environmental crimes, funding for inter-agency meetings, case conferences, and even logistical support to ensure that prosecutors and enforcers can attend court hearings together and legal proceedings, he also said.

In line with the agreement, the DOJ and the DENR are drafting the guidelines for the deputization of DENR lawyers as special prosecutors for wildlife and forestry cases and the manual for prosecutors and law enforcement in the presentation of expert witnesses in court, he added.

 

 

 

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