BAGUIO CITY May 28 – The City Prosecutor’s Office disclosed that more than nine hundred criminal cases were either filed through regular filing or inquest proceedings with the said office for the first four months of this year.
City Prosecutor Elmer Manuel Sagsago said that 745 cases were filed through regular filing while 155 cases were filed through inquest proceedings during the said period of the current year.
Of the 745 cases that were filed through regular filing, Sagsago claimed that 505 cases were filed in the different courts supported by the necessary information while 36 cases still pending resolution with the assigned prosecutors.
Among the cases that were coursed through regular filing with the city prosecutor’s office include estafa – 270 cases, violation of Batas Pambansa Bilang 22 or the Anti-Bouncing Check Law – 123 cases, violation of the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children – 26 cases, violation of child protection laws – 17 cases, rape – 16 cases, theft – 14 cases, illegal recruitment and robbery – 7 cases each, carnapping – 6 cases, cybercrime and tax violations – 5 cases each, illegal possession of dangerous drugs, murder, illegal logging and illegal possession of firearms, ammunitions and explosives – 2 cases each and homicide and kidnapping with 1 case each.
On the other hand, the city prosecutor reported that the prosecutors were able to dispose the 155 cases that were filed through inquest proceedings.
Among the cases that were filed with the city prosecutor’s office through inquest proceedings include theft with 30 cases, violation of the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Law – 22, violation of the provisions of RA 9262 – 15 cases, illegal possession of firearms, ammunitions and explosives – 8, illegal gambling or violation of the provisions of Presidential Decree (PD) 1602 or the Anti-Gambling Law – 7 cases, rape – 5 cases, robbery – 4 cases, estafa – 3 cases, violation of child protection laws, homicide and carnapping – 2 cases each and cybercrime and murder with 1 case each.
Sagsago explained the job of the city prosecutors is to make sure that the cases against individuals who obviously committed crimes will be filed against them for them to face the consequences of their actions while harassment cases against individuals are for dismissal to clear the names of those involved in the said cases.
He revealed there are 24 prosecutors assigned in the city prosecutor’s office to ensure all the cases are filed in their office within the prescribed reglamentary period.
Sagsago pointed out that if the parties involved in a case are living in the city, the prosecutor assigned is mandated to resolve the case within 30 days while if one of the parties is based outside the city, the number of days to resolve the case could go up to a maximum of 60 days.
The city prosecutor’s office is one of the pillars of the country’s justice system under the jurisdiction of the justice department.
By Dexter A. See
