122 newly appointed, promoted prosecutors take oath at DOJ

The first batch of prosecutors appointed under the Marcos administration and those who were recently promoted took their oath on Monday at the Department of Justice (DOJ).

According to the DOJ, Justice Undersecretary Nicky Ty administered the oath of 98 of 122 prosecutors. Of the 122, those who were newly appointed numbered 54 while 68 were promoted.

“As prosecutors, you are not just legal professionals; you are the gatekeepers of criminal justice. You have a critical role in ensuring that the rule of law is upheld, that the rights of individuals are protected, and that justice is served without fear or favor,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in his message, which was read by Ty.

Meanwhile, Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres urged the prosecutors to be the “voice of the voiceless.”

“Let us look deeply into the present criminal justice situation in the Philippines. Is it really justice for all or is justice only for the privileged?” Andres said.

“And 90% of our society is at the receiving end of the ills, ailments of our criminal justice system and we are now turning our attention to that more important 90%. The poor, the underprivileged, the marginalized,” he added.

The DOJ said five of the 122 hold office at the Office of the Secretary of Justice Prosecution Staff, while others are stationed at the prosecution offices in the National Capital Region and Regions I to IV. —KG, GMA Integrated News