[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 149 -2011, October 26, 2011 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 149 -2011, October 26, 2011 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 149 -2011, October 26, 2011 ]

TO :

SELECTED JUDGES OF SPECIAL COURTS FOR DRUGS CASES

SUBJECT :

PARTICIPATION TO THE FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION

WHEREAS , the Supreme Court, together with the Department of Justice, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and concerned justice sector agencies will be holding an anti-illegal drugs forum on 14 November 2011 at the Philippine International Convention Center, CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm., to be attended by different stakeholders in the justice sector, a first in a series of fora to be organized by the Justice Sector Coordinating Council.

WHEREAS , the Forum aims to: (a) identify the issues/problems/gaps in the enforcement, prosecution, judgment, execution of penalty/corrections and rehabilitation in handling illegal drugs cases; (b) formulate strategies and action plans among key agencies as solution to the issues/problems/gaps; and (c) initiate commitments among key agencies toward implementation.

WHEREAS , there is a need to pre-identify the issues/problems/gaps they observed and experienced by the Judges of the Special Courts for Drugs Cases in handling and deciding cases on illegal drugs. The said issues/problems/gaps as well as any proposed solution or action the Judges may recommend either to the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and other law enforcement agencies will serve as inputs to the Workshop during the Forum proper.

WHEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, the following selected Judges of the Special Courts for Drugs Cases are required to attend the Focus Group Discussion on 26 October 2011 at the 3rd Division Conference Room, 3rd Floor, Main Building, Supreme Court, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.

1. Judge Caroline Rivera Colasito, RTC Branch 23, Manila 2. Judge Reynaldo A. Alhambra, RTC Branch 53, Manila 3. Judge Elvira De Castro Panganiban, RTC Branch 227, Quezon City 4. Judge Petronilo A. Sulla, Jr. RTC Branch 110, Pasay City

The attendance of the participants in the Focus Group Discussion shall be MANDATORY and on OFFICIAL BUSINESS. No companion and substitution of participants shall be allowed.

The participants should see to it that their respective court calendars are properly managed and the parties are notified in advanced of any cancelled hearing.

Issued this 26th day of October 2011.

(SGD.)JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ Court Administrator