By Gerome Dalipe IV
Western Visayas needs more government prosecutors.
The Regional Development Council (RDC-6) reported that the insufficient number of prosecutors remains one of the challenges in the adequate disposal of cases in Region 6.
In its Regional Development Plan for 2023 – 2028, the council said there are only about 140 prosecutors in the region that cater to about 19,128 caseloads as of 2021.
The prosecution recorded a disposition rate of 77.36 percent, which is the lowest in the country for 2021, the council noted.
That’s because out of the 23 prosecution offices in Western Visayas, about 10 have average caseloads of at least 500 cases per prosecutor.
For instance, one prosecution office recorded a heavy caseload of at least 1, 000 cases per prosecutor.
Despite such challenge, the prosecution rate in courts in the region was still at 95.03 percent, with Western Visayas ranking sixth nationwide in 2021, the council noted.
“The swift and fair administration of justice continued to be pursued through adequate disposition of cases and investigations on all petitions for probations, parole, and other forms of executive clemency,” the council said.
To enhance the administration of justice, the council outlined four strategy frameworks. These include improvements in the quality and efficiency in the disposition of cases, access to quality, free or affordable legal services, quality of life and rehabilitation of persons deprived of liberty (PDL), and productive reintegration of offenders in society.
