Prof. Manny Riguera, Jurists Bar Review Center Director, Recaps Key Insights from Final CRIMPRO Regional Consultation

Judge Karla A. Funtila-Abugan of the Manila Metropolitan Trial Court, Branch 17, presents the Draft Forms for the Rules of Criminal Procedure, while Atty. Manuel R. Riguera, Director of the Jurists Bar Review Center, recaps the participants’ comments and recommendations during the final CRIMPRO Regional Consultation held at the Yuchengco Auditorium, De La Salle University-Manila, on November 7, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)  

On November 7, 2024, over 300 stakeholders from the National Capital Judicial Region and nearby provinces gathered at De La Salle University-Manila for the sixth and final Regional Consultation on the Proposed Amendments to the Rules of Criminal Procedure (CRIMPRO). This event provided a platform for judges, legal practitioners, and members of the academe to share their insights and recommendations as the Supreme Court considers updates to these foundational rules.

Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, in his keynote address, explained that the ongoing revision of the Rules of Criminal Procedure aligns with the Judiciary’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovation 2022-2027 (SPJI). He highlighted the goal of creating a responsive justice system that “better aligns with modern-day realities” and incorporates technological advancements to streamline procedures.

Emphasizing the need for clarity and coherence, the Chief Justice pointed out the aim to integrate critical areas, such as cybercrime warrants and body-worn cameras, into a unified framework. These updates, he said, are intended to not only protect the rights of the accused, such as their right to bail and freedom from unreasonable searches, but also to provide guidelines that address emerging issues like cybercrime and custodial hearings.

SC Associate Justice Rodil V. Zalameda, who chairs the Sub-Committee on the Revision of the Rules of Criminal Procedure, acknowledged the dedication shown by participants throughout the consultation series. He noted that the input gathered has been vital to addressing systemic challenges such as docket congestion and delays in criminal proceedings, which contribute to other issues like jail overcrowding and prolonged preventive detention.

At the event, Professor Tranquil Gervacio S. Salvador III, a Jurists lecturer, presented proposed changes across several procedural rules, including prosecution, bail, trial, and appeal. Professor Manny Riguera, Review Director of the Jurists Bar Review Center and a member of the legal academe, led the concluding session with a recap of the participants’ comments and suggestions, reflecting the depth of engagement from the region’s legal community.

The Jurists Bar Review Center, under Prof. Riguera’s leadership, remains committed to supporting judicial reforms that enhance the justice system’s accessibility and efficiency. For further details on the CRIMPRO amendments, visit the Supreme Court’s CRIMPRO Regional Consultations microsite.