KINGDOM FILIPINA HACIENDA

Pala-o, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte

TOPIC (DAY 1 of 3 DAYS SEMINAR WORKSHOP)

FIVE (5) PILLARS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

Q: What are the five pillars of the criminal justice system in the Philippines?

A: The five pillars of the criminal justice system in the Philippines are law enforcement,
prosecution, the courts, the penal system and the community itself. The five pillars
principle was outlined in an executive order signed by President Corazon Aquino on
December 19, 1989

FULL ANSWER
The five pillars or systems must work in concert with each other with checks and balances
between them in order to best serve the public. Criticism of the Filipino legal system often
centers around issues of disconnect. The five pillars represent many different facets of
the legal system and society.

Law enforcement -- including the Philippines Constabulary, the National Police

Commission and National Bureau of Investigation.

Prosecution including the National Prosecution Service and judge advocate services.

The courts including all levels from regional to the Supreme Court.

Corrections including the prison, parole and probation systems.

Community including local governments and the Department of Social Welfare and
Development.

There are actually five (5) pillars of criminal justice system, as follows;

(1.) Community, (2.) The Law Enforcement, (3.) The Prosecution Service, (4.)
The Courts, (5.) The Correctional Institution.
(2.) If one of these pillars is dysfunctional, wala tayong maasahan na hustisya
(3.) The five (5) pillars of the Philippine Criminal Justice System have important
roles to play in the investigation, prosecution and dispensation of justice of
the alleged offenders or felons.
 (4.) The first pillar is the COMMUNITY (e.g., People & Peoples Organizations).
It refers to institutions, government, and non-government agencies and
peoples organizations that provide care and assistance to the victims or
offended party, during and after the onset of a victims rights case. The
community has a significant role to assume in all the phases of judicial
involvement of offender as well as the protection process: the prevention
of abuse, cruelty, discrimination and exploitation, assistance of offenders
who enter the criminal justice system and the acceptance of the offenders
upon his reintegration into the community, after he goes out of Correctional.
(5.) The second pillar is LAW ENFORCEMENT (e.g. PNP, NBI, PDEA, etc.) It
involves government agencies charged with the enforcement of penal laws.
It is primarily responsible for the investigation and determination whether
an offense has been committed, and where needed, the apprehension of
alleged offenders for further investigation of
(6.) the third pillar, Prosecution Service. The PROSECUTION SERVICE
(Public Prosecutor or Fiscal) refers to the National Prosecution Service
(NPS). The NPS is mandated to investigate and prosecute penal
violations. It collates, evaluates evidence in the preliminary inquest
investigation and dismisses or files the case in court as indicated. The
Public Attorneys Office or private defense counsel, on the other hand,
serves as the defender of offender who is charged before the court and
unable to hire the service of the retained lawyer.
(7.) The fourth pillar is the COURT (MTC, RTC) which refers to the MTC and
Regional Trial Courts designated to handle and try the case and issue
judgment after trial.
(8.) The fifth pillar is the CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM (NBP, CIW, BJMP). It
refers to institutions mandated to administer both correctional and
rehabilitation programs for the offenders. These programs develop the
offenders or convicts abilities and potentials and facilitate their re-
integration into the community and normal family life. The rehabilitation and
recovery process involves the support of government agencies, on-
government organizations and most importantly the family and community
so that the offender as well as the offended can heal and recover in order
to be able to cope and rebuild their lives. NB: the fifth pillar is formerly called
PRISON or PENITENTIARY; it is now called a CORRECTIONAL (e.g.
Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong) because

IR: FEBRUARY 13-15, 2017

DIRECTOR GENERAL LEVY N. NISPEROS, AB, OMG, BTH.

TRIBUNAL MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
KINGDOM FILIPINA HACIENDA

Copy Furnish;
HRH MAJESTY QUEEN SALVACION LEGASPI
DUKE MIKE CAPACIA
 KINGDOM FILIPINA HACIENDA
Pala-o, Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte

DAY 2: WARRANTLESS ARREST:

IR:

Director General Levy N. Nisperos, AB, OMG, BTH.

TRIBUNAL MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
KINGDOM FILIPINA HACIENDA

CC:

HRH MAJESTY QUEEN SALVACION LEGASPI

DUKE MIKE CAPACIA