MANILA: In a bid to bolster the capabilities of Philippine prosecutors, the United States and the Philippines have announced plans to establish a training institution following a high-level meeting between officials from the two nations. The meeting, which included representatives from the Philippines’ Department of Justice (DOJ), the United States’ Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL), and the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), focused on enhancing the prosecutorial capacities within the Philippines.
According to Philippines News Agency, the meeting was hosted by the Philippines with DOJ Undersecretary Jesse Hermogenes Andres and Officer-in-Charge Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon representing the country. Attendees included INL Deputy Assistant Secretary Brandon Yoder, IDLO-Philippines Country Manager Siavash Rahbari, and INL Deputy Director in the Philippines Luke Bruns. Yoder, who participated in the meeting during his visit for the 3rd Philippines-US Bila
teral Maritime Dialogue, affirmed the United States’ ongoing commitment to supporting the Philippines, reiterating promises made during the PH-US Bilateral Strategic Dialogue in Washington, D.C. earlier this year.
The DOJ highlighted the consensus among officials from both governments on the importance of robust prosecutorial institutions in maintaining public trust and ensuring the effectiveness of justice systems. As part of their collaborative efforts, the parties agreed to establish the DOJ Academy, a permanent training institution for prosecutors, and to initiate a mentoring program aimed at enhancing prosecutorial skills.
DOJ Undersecretary Andres expressed gratitude to the INL and IDLO for their continuous support in enhancing the DOJ’s capacity to investigate and prosecute cases involving money laundering, terrorism financing, and environmental crimes. He also relayed a message from Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, who conveyed his deep appreciation for the strong partnership with the United
States.