The Office of the Secretary of Justice Prosecution Staff (OSJPS) held its Planning Assessment and General Assembly last 05 February 2024.
The event was graced by Undersecretary Jesse Hermogenes T. Andres, Undersecretary-in-Charge of the National Prosecution Service.
In his speech, Usec. Andres applauded the OSJPS for its hard work for the past eighteen (18) months that they have been at the helm of Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla. He thanked the prosecutors for the support they have shown to the significant and meaningful reforms introduced by the good secretary in the Department, including the directive to be proactively involved in case build-up under the Department Circular No. 20 s. 2023.
Prosecutor General (PG) Benedicto A. Malcontento then presented the comparative performance of the OSJPS beginning the year 2019 up to 2023. Specifically, PG Malcontento showed the increase in the percentage of disposition of cases, from 54.20% in 2019 to 89.30% in 2023, as well as the decrease of pending cases from 1,330 cases in 2019 to only 465 cases in 2023.
In his speech, PG Malcontento expressed his gratitude to the prosecutors for making it possible for the OSJPS to surpass its target under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for 2022. He shared that the OSJPS was able to obtain a “Very Satisfactory” adjectival rating for 2022 and has maintained such rating for 2023.
The Planning and Management Service (PMS) is still finalizing the performance result of all offices of the Department including the OSJPS. PG Malcontento also highlighted a significant reduction in ageing cases, and an increased rate of convictions vis-à-vis acquittals. He also underscored that his Office has a 100% resolution rate of Petitions for Review in 2023. PG Malcontento said the OSJPS’ performance was a collective effort of all the prosecutors and support staff as he encouraged them to push it further so that the OSJPS can achieve an “Outstanding” rating for 2024.