New prosecutors undergo training

At least 60 newly-appointed Prosecution Attorneys from prosecution offices all over the Philippines began their onboarding training on 20 January 2025 through the 1st Comprehensive Assimilation (COMPASS) Training for Newly-Appointed Prosecutors.

The training, delivered by a pool of prosecutor-trainers from the National Prosecution Service, combines four courses that prosecutors must undergo to become competent and efficient agents of justice.

These are the Orientation Seminar for Newly-Appointed Prosecutors, Trial Advocacy Course, Techniques in Witness Handling Course and Review of the Revised Penal Code.

The COMPASS is the starting point in every newly-appointed prosecutor’s capacity-development journey. The goal of the training is to ensure an increase in the participants’ knowledge and skills, and improvement in their attitude to become effective and ethical prosecution attorneys.

Also, the new PAs were briefed on the latest issuances of the Department of Justice, particularly those pertaining to the quantum of proof, requiring prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction to ensure quality cases are filed before the courts.

The training was made possible through the Special Projects Division of the Office of the Secretary of Justice Prosecution Staff, with the support of the International Development Law Organization and the Bureau of International Law and Narcotics of the US Department of State.

Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon and IDLO country manager Siavash Rahbari graced the opening ceremony.