[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 233-2016, November 16, 2016 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 233-2016, November 16, 2016 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 233-2016, November 16, 2016 ]

TO : ALL JUDGES AND CLERKS OF COURT OF THE FIRST AND SECOND LEVEL COURTS

SUBJECT : INCIDENT RECORD FORM AS ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE IN COURT

The Philippine National Police (PNP), through the Police Director General, Mr. Ronald M. Dela Rosa, has requested the Office of the Court Administrator to issue a circular on the admissibility of the new Incident Record Form (IRF) of the PNP as evidence in court.

The PNP recently implemented the Crime Incident Reporting and Analysis System (CIRAS), which aims to generate reliable information on crime incidents and enhance police investigative capabilities through an integrated database system. With the CIRAS, crime incidents would now be recorded utilizing the IRFs, which would eventually replace the police blotter. Once fully implemented, the police blotter will only be used as a log of duly accomplished IRFs and will no longer contain any other information.

In view thereof and considering the probative value of the Incident Record Form, all concerned are accordingly DIRECTED to judiciously CONSIDER and ALLOW the Incident Record Form as evidence in courts and eventually replace blotter entry excerpts.

Strict compliance is hereby enjoined.

November 16, 2016

(SGD.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ Court Administrator

* See copy of INCIDENT RECORD FORM attached in the Hard Copy of OCA CIRCULAR NO. 233-2016