SC sets Aug. 8 talks in Lipa City on rule amendments

The Supreme Court will hold the first leg of its regional consultation on proposed amendments to the Rules on Criminal Procedure on Aug. 8 at De La Salle Lipa in Lipa City, Batangas. The proposed amendments, according to the high tribunal, touch on the use of technology in judicial proceedings as there are plans to introduce guidelines for the conduct of videoconferencing, rules on the use of body-worn cameras in the execution of warrants and the implementation of an enhanced e-warrant system.

“The proposed rules likewise repeal inconsistent provisions of Rule 112 of the current Rules, in recognition of the authority of the Department of Justice to promulgate its own rules on preliminary investigation,” it said. Interested participants for the consultation in Batangas may register until July 29 via sc.judiciary.gov.ph/crimpro-revision-project. The high court said there had been several revisions to the rules of criminal procedure since its introduction in the 1900s.

The latest Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure was promulgated by the Supreme Court on Dec. 1, 2000. “Since then, the court has introduced and implemented various innovations aimed at ensuring the speedier and more just resolution of cases, particularly criminal cases, where an individual’s right to liberty is at risk,” it added. —JANE BAUTISTA