THE Department of Justice’s new standard of “reasonable certainty of conviction” has led to a significant decrease in cases filed, according to Northern Mindanao Regional Prosecutor Merlynn Uy.
Speaking at a Cagayan de Oro Press Club’s “Meet the Press” on Wednesday, August 6, Uy said the policy shift from the previous standard of “probable cause” is a “very positive development” for the justice system.
“It has resulted to a decrease. So far, sa mga feedbacks sa akong mga chiefs, mga 15% gyud ang decrease compared to the previous years when we were still implementing the old method which is probable cause,” Uy said.
Uy explained that the new rule requires prosecutors to be more discerning and stricter, ensuring a case has a higher chance of a conviction before it is even officially filed.
“Now, we have to have a reasonable certainty that we could have a conviction,” she said.
The new screening process means a case is not considered officially filed until it has been given a docket number and certified as “ripe” for preliminary investigation.
Complaints that lack sufficient evidence are “closed and terminated without prejudice to refiling kung makumpleto na ang ebidensya or dili gyud siya ma certify kay kulang gyud ang ebidensya,” Uy said.
Uy said the DOJ’s goal is to improve the quality of cases, not the quantity.
“It’s better nga gamay atong gi file pero solid atong kaso kay sa padaghanay ta'g gi file; that is not a positive accomplishment for us. Ang positive accomplishment sa amo is quality cases ba ang among gi-file sa korte,” she said.
She added that the community should welcome the change, as it means “dili na diay ‘ta maka basta-basta maka file karon kay gi-screen na man.”
“It’s not that we are favoring one party over the other. But we are looking at the quality and the completeness of the evidence ayha mi mu file gyud sa korte,” Uy explained.
The DOJ’s policy shift, which has been recognized by the Supreme Court, is an effort to decongest court dockets and streamline the criminal justice process by ensuring only cases with strong evidence proceed to trial.
