MANILA — The Supreme Court (SC) has slammed the door on “trial by harassment” by affirming a Department of Justice (DOJ) policy that mandates a significantly higher evidence threshold when it comes to filing of criminal charges.
In a move that shifts the burden of proof earlier in the legal process, the High Court’s ruling ensures that prosecutors can no longer drag individuals into court based on “mere probable cause,” requiring instead prima facie evidence that carries a reasonable certainty of conviction.
For decades, the Philippine justice system has struggled with a high volume of cases that often result in dismissals due to insufficient evidence. The DOJ argues that the old “probable cause” threshold allowed meritorious and frivolous cases alike to clog the system, eroding public trust and exhausting judicial resources.
Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida hailed the decision, stating that the Court’s affirmation validates a bold step toward a more discerning and effective prosecution system. He emphasized that the shift is not intended to make justice harder to achieve, but rather to make it fairer, faster, and more reliable for all Filipinos.
Legal experts note that the shift serves a dual purpose of increasing both efficiency and the protection of due process. By filtering out unsubstantiated claims, the prosecution can focus its limited resources on high-stakes cases that have a genuine chance of success.
On the other hand, the higher threshold provides a critical layer of protection for the accused, upholding the presumption of innocence by preventing the filing of flimsy or politically motivated indictments.
Following the High Court’s nod, the DOJ confirmed it will proceed with a nationwide rollout of the guidelines, which includes intensive training for state prosecutors to adapt to the more rigorous evaluation process.
The DOJ also signaled ongoing collaborations with law enforcement agencies to ensure that case build-ups meet the new “certainty of conviction” requirement before they are endorsed for preliminary investigation.