Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Sunday announced the formal launch of a collaborative program among the Department of Justice (DOJ), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) aimed at streamlining criminal case prosecution by tightening coordination between law enforcement agencies and government prosecutors.

In his speech during the launch of the Training and Educational Program for DOJ Prosecutors and Law Enforcement Agents (TEPLEA), Remulla emphasized that the initiative is not entirely new, noting its roots in the Estrada administration, when prosecutors and police officers first worked jointly under the now-defunct Presidential Task Force (PTF).

“This is not a new invention,” Remulla said. “This was already done during President Erap’s time, when prosecutors were part of a task force. The effectiveness of the law enforcement–prosecution partnership was clear even then.”

The new initiative, which involves senior DOJ prosecutors, NBI agents, and PCG officers, seeks to institutionalize collaboration between police and prosecutors as a standard operating procedure (SOP) across agencies — rather than treating it as a one-off or ad hoc arrangement.

“People often want to work in silos, to protect their own turf,” Remulla said. “But we can’t allow that to happen anymore. Justice should not be sacrificed to convenience.”

Drawing on his own experience as a former defense lawyer, Remulla recalled how weak or uncoordinated police testimonies often resulted in acquittals.

“It was easy to dismantle their cases,” he said. “That should never be the norm. Police officers and prosecutors play a far more crucial role in society than defense lawyers like I once was.”

While affirming the importance of the right to legal defense, Remulla underscored that the broader public interest — particularly the effective prosecution and conviction of criminal offenders — should take precedence.

“The goal is simple,” he said. “When we file a case, we should be ready for trial. No delays, no excuses. Continuous trial must be the norm.”

He praised the initiative as a “cleansing mechanism” for society, one that aims to hold offenders accountable while upholding the rule of law.

“This is a profound change — one that requires patience,” Remulla said. “But this effort will bring us closer to our goal of a just and orderly society.”

The DOJ hopes that institutionalizing the coordination between prosecutors and law enforcement will not only lead to stronger court convictions but also restore public trust in the criminal justice system.