Philippines Criminal Justice System (From Corrections in Asia and the Pacific, P 203-210, 1980, William Clifford - See NCJ-74330)

• NCJ Number: 74346
• Author(s): V R Raval
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 8 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

This article outlines the characteristics and problems of the various components of the criminal justice system in the Philippines from law enforcement, the prosecution, and the courts to corrections and the community.

Abstract

The strengthening of law enforcement efforts is deemed to depend on improved police officer training and professionalization of their status as well as on the incorporation of advanced technology in crime detection, traffic control, forensic sciences, and criminal investigation. Police training has been extended to the Barnagay officials at the village level. The crucial problem of the courts is seen as that of overburdened caseloads. Traditional practices of justice are retained in that special courts operated by minorities (e.g., Muslims, Igorots) hae jurisdiction over their members and court proceedings follow ethnic customs. Use of minority courts contributes to the elimination of court delays and backlogs. The prompt disposition of cases is seen as a priority objective of justice delivery. In the area of corrections, new facilities are being built that will meet inmates' needs for privacy and dignity as well as the requirements of innovative new programs. Inmates' religious training is being emphasized in some programs and the Philippines boasts of an open institution, Iwabig Prison and Penal Farm, which is internationally recognized as one of the more successful rehabilitative institutions in the world. Community effort is currently directed toward the provision of improved housing, education, health, and religious and recreational services through government programs for the poor. Moreover, community-based and community-oriented criminal justice programs are being planned. Finally, Philippino organizations concerned with national security and protection of the President and his family are listed, and a private antinarcotics organization is cited as the primary Philippino agency to combat the menace of drug-related crime. No references are given.