122 new prosecutors to boost DOJ’s zero backlog policy –De Lima

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has expressed hopes of further achieving “zero backlog” in cases handled by the Department of Justice (DOJ), following President Benigno Aquino III's recent appointment and promotion of a total of 122 prosecutors in the country.

The prosecutors were appointed in almost all offices of the National Prosecution Service nationwide, including in Metro Manila, Regions 1 to 13, and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

De Lima said the DOJ has been “eagerly anticipating” the appointments of the state prosecutors. The appointment papers were all signed November 27 and 28.

“Their assumption into office will hopefully allow us to redistribute the admittedly heavy workload of our current prosecutorial force, and, thus, expedite the resolution of cases before the NPS,” said De Lima in a statement on Monday.

The Justice secretary added that the promotions would open up vacancies for new government prosecutors, in addition to existing ones.

“We will endeavor to fill [the new vacancies] with new prosecutors who are not only competent, but also have strong work ethic and reputation for integrity, and who will be able to discharge their functions impartially and outside the influence of partisan politics,” she said.

More appointments expected

De Lima said her office is still awaiting the release of the other appointments that are still with the Office of the President.

“Undoubtedly, the immediate release of the same shall enable the DOJ achieve its zero backlog policy of its cases and ultimately improve the administration of the criminal justice system in our country,” she said.

The DOJ's “zero backlog policy,” aimed at the expeditious resolution of cases, was among the good governance reforms that the DOJ adopted as part of its Development Plan-Strategy Matrix for 2011-2016.

Just last August, Aquino had also appointed 72 new prosecutors who filled up the 20-percent vacancy in the NPS.

Those appointees were assigned in Regions 4, 6, 7 and 10. At the time, De Lima reminded the newly assigned prosecutors to abide by the Code of Conduct for Prosecutors.

In 2012, Aquino also appointed—in two batches—a total of 181 prosecutors: A first batch of 41 in July and a second batch of 140 in November. —Mark Merueñas/KBK, GMA News