At least 21 environmental cases are set to be filed by the Department of Justice and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the coming months as part of a joint crackdown on environmental violations nationwide.
The move follows a four-day strategic planning workshop held in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, where regional prosecutors and DENR officials from seven regions worked on actual case files. DOJ Undersecretary Jesse Hermogenes T. Andres led the workshop, which aimed to equip DENR field teams with legal guidance on evidence building and case preparation.
The effort reflects a directive from Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, expanding the role of public prosecutors to include active involvement in case build-up even before formal complaints are filed.
As part of this shift, prosecutors and DENR officials worked together to improve investigative standards and boost conviction rates.
A key outcome was the launch of a standardized tool called the Environmental Case Build-Up and Trial Preparation Worksheet. The worksheet helps teams organize facts, identify legal elements, and detect weaknesses in evidence early in the process.
DENR officials praised the tool for streamlining investigations, while prosecutors noted its role in strengthening cases before trial.
Regional DENR executives who joined the workshop said they plan to adopt the worksheet as part of their internal protocols. The tool also incorporates new prosecutorial directives aimed at tightening legal strategies against violators.
Among these are the use of the Cybercrime Prevention Act in cases involving digital platforms—which could lead to higher penalties—the inclusion of respondent profiles for repeat violators, and a reminder for prosecutors to seek asset forfeiture when applicable.
Each of the seven participating regions committed to file at least three environmental cases, with a minimum of 21 new cases expected in the near future.