The Department of Justice has asked the Supreme Court for doable measures that will lead to speedy decision of human trafficking cases pending in courts.

Justice Secretary Agnes VST Devanadera has taken this initiative in her desire to address the country’s image after the US State Department Report has placed the Philippines in Tier 2 stage on its efforts against human trafficking. The Secretary has opened the move considering that the executive branch can not infringe on the judiciary.

In her letter to Chief Justice Reynato Puno, Devanadera urged the highest tribunal for assistance to address the major concern raised in the 9th Global Trafficking in Persons (GTIP) Report. As she commended the SC for the “commendable and unwavering reforms initiated by the Chief Justice to improve the judiciary”, she also considered the judiciary’s effort as “encouragement for us in this protracted battle against trafficking in persons knowing that these concerns will not go unheeded”.

Based on the 9th GTIP Report, the Secretary cited delays in the trial as the major hindrance in the government’s ability to effectively prosecute trafficking crimes. Aside from noting small number of convictions obtained in 2008, the Report stated that “despite a 2005 Department of Justice circular instructing that all trafficking cases receive preferential attention, trial often take years to conclude, because of a lack of judges and courtrooms, high turn-over, and non-continuous trials, which cause some victims to withdraw their testimony.”

Meanwhile, Devanadera has issued yesterday a memorandum dated June 22, 2009, directing prosecutors nationwide to submit immediately updates on the status of cases involving anti-trafficking in persons.

The said memorandum requires the prosecutors to comply on or before July 31, 2009 for inventory and monitor all TIP cases pending preliminary investigation including those undecided by the courts. It is implied that all data and statistics obtained from the prosecution will be taken as factors in sitting down with the SC counter parts for viable solutions on pending trafficking cases in courts.

In the 2008 GTIP Report, the Philippines was in Tier 2. While Tier 2 and Tier 2 Watch list category do not vary, however, the recent amendment of the Trafficking Victims Act (TVPA) of 2008 contains a provision requiring that a country that has been included in Tier 2 Watch list for two consecutive years after the date of the enactment of TVPA of 2008 be ranked as Tier 3. Countries classified as Tier 3 maybe be subjected to statutory restrictions for the subsequent fiscal year on non-humanitarian and non-trade related foreign assistance.