Manila: The Supreme Court (SC) and the United States Department of Justice's Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) are considering a potential collaboration to support the recently established Judiciary Marshals Office. This development follows a meeting between Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and Bruce Miyake, the resident legal advisor of the US DOJ-OPDAT, held at the SC En Banc Conference Room.
According to Philippine News Agency, the meeting included discussions on the progress of the Judiciary Marshals Office, which was praised by Miyake as a groundbreaking initiative in the region. The Judiciary Marshals Act, enacted in 2022 as Republic Act 11691, was introduced in response to the growing number of violent crimes against members of the Judiciary. The law is designed to protect judges, court personnel, and court properties, ensuring the integrity of legal proceedings.
The Office of the Judiciary Marshals operates directly under the Supreme Court's supervision, tasked with the security and protection of Judiciary members, personnel, and assets. It is authorized to investigate threats, make lawful arrests and seizures, and assist with the enforcement of court orders. Judiciary marshals are deployed to secure court facilities and events and are responsible for the protection and transportation of witnesses and accused individuals as directed by the court.
Furthermore, the office is empowered to investigate crimes against Judiciary members and allegations of corruption within the judicial system. Marshals have the authority to issue subpoenas, apply for search warrants, administer oaths, and access public records.
In November, the Supreme Court released the Implementing Rules and Regulations for RA 11691, enabling the full implementation and operationalization of the Judiciary Marshals Office.
In other news, Chief Justice Gesmundo has inaugurated new Court of Appeals Associate Justices Edilwasif Baddiri and Jeoffre Willkom Acebido. Both justices were appointed on February 24, with Baddiri succeeding retired CA Justice Edwin Sorongon and Acebido succeeding retired CA Justice Victoria Isabel Paredes. Baddiri previously served as Presiding and Executive Judge at the Regional Trial Court in Pasay City, as well as a Commissioner at the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos. Acebido's background includes service as a Presiding Judge at the RTC in Cagayan de Oro, along with roles as a prosecutor, Public Attorney, and senior legal officer at the Commission on Human Rights.
