THE Hanns Seidel Foundation of Germany, in partnership with the Department of Justice-National Prosecution Service (DOJ-NPS) Region 10 and the Philippine National Police-Police Regional Office 10, held a legal dialogue on March 26, 2025, continuing its efforts to strengthen cooperation between prosecutors, law enforcement officers, and investigators.
The discussion focused on key legal issues, including criminal violations of the Intellectual Property Code, Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act, and Graphic Health Warnings Law, along with concerns regarding election law enforcement.
Representatives from the Bureau of Customs, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) also participated.
A major highlight of the event was the launch of the 2025 Edition of the Handbook of Crimes (2nd Edition).
This updated version of the 2022 handbook includes new DOJ issuances, such as the 2024 DOJ-NPS Rules on Preliminary Investigation and Inquest Proceedings and the 2024 DOJ-NPS Rules on Summary Investigation and Expedited Preliminary Investigation.
Designed as a quick reference for prosecutors and law enforcers, the handbook outlines criminal offenses, their legal elements, and recommended bail amounts.
A working committee, led by Regional Prosecutor Merlynn Barola-Uy, along with Misamis Oriental Provincial Prosecutor Irene Alejado-Meso, Senior Assistant Regional Prosecutor Joseph Edwardsam A. Eullaran, and Associate Provincial Prosecutor Lito Sanchez, oversaw the handbook’s development.
A total of 400 copies will be distributed across 14 prosecution field offices in Region 10, as well as to police units, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and the NBI.
The handbook includes an updated compilation of penal laws and the revised 2018 DOJ Bail Bond Guide.
The initiative aims to improve legal enforcement and prosecution by providing clearer guidance on criminal law application in the region.
