Together in Baguio City last Jan. 11, Local Government Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos Jr. for the law enforcement, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla for the prosecution, and Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo for the judiciary jointly met in a dialogue with justice stakeholders.
The first three dialogues held by JSCC were held last last year in Cebu City, Davao City and Naga City. He stressed that “the innovation that is the Justice Zone, is, by itself, a compelling example that innovation works for us in the justice sector and its importance is always a nonissue.” “We all know that there is a need to narrow the great divide between the current degree of proof needed for the filing of a criminal information, probable cause, and that of conviction, which is proof beyond reasonable doubt,” he said.
Abalos highlighted the conduct of virtual court hearings through video conferencing as he pointed out that the system enabled policemen assigned to far-flung areas to continue providing testimony crucial in the prosecution of cases.Chief Justice Gesmundo was joined by Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, and Associate Justices Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, Rodil V. Zalameda, Mario V. Lopez, Ricardo R. Rosario, Jhosep Y. Lopez, Japar B. Dimaampao, JoseMidas P.