Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra. (Screengrab from pre-SONA forum virtual presser)
MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday said it continues to ensure that the constitutional rights of the people are protected and the rule of law is consistently upheld amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
Speaking at a pre-SONA forum virtual presser, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the agency, being an original member of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), strives to uphold the protection of human rights whenever stringent measures are being considered in response to the health crisis.
"We factor in measures that certain rights of people such as the right to travel, privacy, freedom of religion are also respected," he said.
Guevarra added that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has focused on offenses that are connected to the pandemic such as hoarding, overpricing, profiteering, irregularities in the distribution of the government's cash aid, and violation of quarantine protocols.
"It is of utmost necessity that law and order be maintained and preserve during difficult times such as a public health emergency or a state of calamity. The rule of law is not suspended during a pandemic," he added.
He said agencies under the DOJ have adopted innovative solutions such as allowing online filings before the prosecution services as well as online inquest services.
Guevarra said the agency "also allows the electronic filing of complaints for preliminary investigation where connectivity is good".
He added that prosecutors also appear physically in hearings or via videoconferencing. (PNA)
