DoJ: Thousands of complaints vetted before filing raps

Justice Secretary Frederick Vida said thousands of complaints undergo preliminary investigation at the Department of Justice (DoJ), but prosecutors file charges only when the evidence meets the required standard.

Vida said about 4,000 prosecutors nationwide handle cases undergoing preliminary investigation.

“Thousands of cases pass through us for preliminary investigation. These are handled by approximately 4,000 prosecutors across the Philippines,” Vida said.

He stressed that not every complaint warrants criminal charges, as prosecutors must determine whether the evidence establishes a prima facie case with a reasonable certainty of conviction before filing an information in court.

“Not all of them warrant the filing of charges,” Vida said.

Once an information is filed, the case proceeds to court, where the judge determines the next steps, including whether to issue a warrant of arrest.