Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Lawyer Hazel Meking files a petition at the Supreme Court on June 4, 2025 to question Department of Justice Circular No. 20. Adrian Ayalin, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Adrian Ayalin

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1749031254200504001333_1186616483513606_1518513292573860894_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Lawyer Hazel Meking files a petition at the Supreme Court on June 4, 2025 to question Department of Justice Circular No. 20. Adrian Ayalin, ABS-CBN News"/>Lawyer Hazel Meking files a petition at the Supreme Court on June 4, 2025 to question Department of Justice Circular No. 20. Adrian Ayalin, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA (UPDATED) — Lawyer Hazel Meking filed a petition for certiorari, or review, before the Supreme Court questioning the Department of Justice’s circular requiring prosecutors to determine reasonable certainty of conviction before a complaint is filed in courts.Meking asked the court to annul Department Circular 20 issued by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla last year which raised the standards on evidence from determination of probable cause.She said that the policy has a &quot;large impact&quot; on victims.“Hindi ka makaka-push, hindi ka maka-akyat sa korte,” Meking said.(You cannot push, you cannot go to the courts)The circular defines cases with a “reasonable certainty of conviction” as those which are supported by “prima facie evidence” or evidence that is good and sufficient on its face.It also directs prosecutors to work closely with law enforcement to build up srong cases,<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/04/04/23/doj-requires-prosecutors-to-take-active-role-in-case-build-up">New DOJ circular requires prosecutors to take &#x27;active role&#x27; in case build-up</a> </div>Meking said she has personally experienced a client being turned down by government prosecutors because of lack of certainty of conviction.“Grabe iyon kasi walang trial, walang evidence presented, walang witnesses, wala pa tayo sa korte, ang magsabi ng certainty of conviction, si judge lang,” Meking said.(That was too much. There was no trial, no evidence presented, no witnesses. We didn&#x27;t reach court. Only the judge can say if there is certainty of conviction)Meking said fellow criminal law practitioners across the country have had similar experiences.&quot;At hindi lang ako, maraming lawyers ang makakapagpatunay na ginagawa talaga ito sa aktwal na buhay sa different cities, different prosecutors,&quot; Meking said.DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano said in 2023 when the new policy was announced that &quot;the resources of government [are] wasted when weak cases are filed.&quot;

Lawyer Hazel Meking said she has personally experienced a client being turned down by government prosecutors because of lack of certainty of conviction.

Lawyer Hazel Meking said she has personally experienced a client being turned down by government prosecutors because of lack of certainty of conviction.

DOJ circular raising standards on evidence questioned at SC

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DOJ circular raising standards on evidence questioned at SC

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 04, 2025 06:06 PM PHT

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Updated June 04, 2025 06:21 PM PHT

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Supreme Court

Department of Justice

Department Circular 20

Jesus Crispin Remulla

ABSNews

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