[ SC CIRCULAR NO. 61-2001, September 26, 2001 ]

[ SC CIRCULAR NO. 61-2001, September 26, 2001 ]

[ SC CIRCULAR NO. 61-2001, September 26, 2001 ]

TO : JUDGES AND COURT PERSONNEL OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS, METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS IN CITIES, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS AND MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS

SUBJECT : OBSERVANCE OF THE NATIONAL CORRECTIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS WEEK FROM 21 TO 27 OCTOBER 2001 AND CELEBRATION OF THE 14th PRISON AWARENESS SUNDAY ON 28 OCTOBER 2001 BY THE CBCP EPISCOPAL COMMISSION OR PRISON PASTORAL CARE

In implementation of the provisions of Administrative Circular No. 49-2001 dated 17 September 2001 and of Administrative Circulars Nos. 1-2000 and 9-2000 dated 17 February and 13 October 2000, respectively, of Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr., all judges of the Regional Trial Courts, Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts as well as the court personnel of the said courts are hereby enjoined to actively and meaningfully participate in this year's celebration of the National Correctional Consciousness Week (21 to 27 October 2001) by conducting activities such as:

Personal inspection of jails within their respective territorial jurisdiction not later than 21 October 2001;

Determination during the said inspection if there are minor offenders detained together with adult offenders and should there be any, informing the concerned Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development for the immediate transfer of said minor offender to juvenile centers; and

Participation in spiritual, cultural or social program for the prisoners and their families.

All judges concerned, after meeting with the Provincial/City Prosecutor, Public Attorney assigned to the court and the Jail Warden of the local jail, shall also submit to this Office on or before 21 October 2001 an updated inventory of all criminal cases in their courts, indicating thereon for each case (a) the crime charged- (b) the possible maximum imprisonment for such crime; (c) the dates the information or complaint was filed; (d) whether the accused is bonded or detained; (e) if the accused is detained, the place of detention and the date the detention commenced; (f) the date of the arraignment; and (g) the current status of the case.

The judges shall likewise direct the Jail Wardens where the accused in the aforementioned cases are detained to submit status reports thereon indicating (a) whether the accused is serving his sentence or being merely preventively imprisoned; (b) if serving his sentence: the title of the case, the date the judgment was promulgated and the date he started serving his sentence; and (c) if merely under preventive imprisonment: the title of the case, the crime for which he is detained, and the date he was committed for preventive imprisonment.

The judges shall order the release from detention (preferably during the period herein covered) of any accused who is already entitled to such release under the last paragraph of Article 29 of the Revised Penal Code, or who has already served his sentence, as the case may be, unless the release may not be warranted by reason of any other lawful ground or cause.

Judges and court personnel who shall participate in spiritual, cultural or soil program for the prisoners and their families should see to it that the court calendar is properly managed and parties are notified in advance of any cancelled hearing.

September 26, 2001.

(Sgd.)PRESBITERO J. VELASCO, JR.

Court Administrator