DOJ, US reaffirm commitment to strengthen capacities of PH prosecutors

By Benjamin Pulta, Philippine News Agency

The DOJ said the officials of both governments recognized the vital role of strong prosecutorial institutions in maintaining public trust and ensuring effective justice systems. (PNA file photo)

MANILA – A training institution to strengthen the capacities of Philippine prosecutors is in the works after a meeting among officials of the Philippines’ Department of Justice (DOJ), United States’ Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) and the International Development Law Organization (IDLO).

The Philippines, led by DOJ Undersecretary Jesse Hermogenes Andres and Officer-in-Charge Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon, hosted the meeting on Wednesday, attended by INL deputy assistant secretary Brandon Yoder, IDLO-Philippines country manager lawyer Siavash Rahbari, and INL deputy director in the Philippines Luke Bruns, according to a Friday news release.

Yoder, who is in the country for the 3rd Philippines-US Bilateral Maritime Dialogue, reiterated the US government’s commitment to the Philippines expressed during the PH-US Bilateral Strategic Dialogue held in Washington, D.C. earlier this year.

The DOJ said the officials of both governments recognized the vital role of strong prosecutorial institutions in maintaining public trust and ensuring effective justice systems.

“Thus, among the joint projects that they agreed to undertake is the establishment of the DOJ Academy as a permanent training institution for prosecutors and the launching of a mentoring program of prosecutors,” the DOJ said.

Andres thanked the INL and IDLO for their long-standing support to the DOJ in capacitating prosecutors in investigating and prosecuting money laundering, terrorism financing, and environmental crimes.

He also conveyed Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla’s message, expressing immense appreciation for the strong partnership with the US.