JSCC Anti-Illegal Drugs Forum, 29-30 October 2015, Manila

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Troubled by the extent and impact of the illegal drugs problem in the Philippines, on 14 November 2011, the Judiciary spearheaded an Anti-Illegal Drugs Forum, with the goal of establishing a coordinated approach in policy making planning and operations in the administration of justice, as well as recognition of the functional interdependence of the justice sector agencies. The forum’s methodology involved convening representatives from the different justice sector agencies and clustering them according to the various stages in handling drugs cases, namely: enforcement, trial, judgment, execution of penalty or corrections, and rehabilitation or prevention. Each cluster group discussed cross-cutting issues on policies, operations, budge and legislation. These issues were consolidated in a Matrix of Issues in Handling Illegal Drugs Cases, which was utilized by the break-out groups to define strategies and action plans to address the concerns previously presented.

 

Apart from these action plans, the Forum also served as a venue for the signing of the Joint Declaration (Joint Declaration) of the Justice Sector Agencies in Support of the Campaign Despite the signing of the Joint Declaration, however, the signatories did not follow through with implementation of the Declaration.  Picking up where the first Forum left off, the 2015 Anti-Illegal Drugs Forum: 

 

1. Examined the commitments made in the 2011 Forum and assessed their current viability;

2. Identified issues and challenges in handling illegal drugs cases, particularly in case build-up;

3. Formulated strategies and action plans among key agencies to address standing issues from the 2011 and the 2011 Forum action plans and 2015 Summit;

4. Established monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for the action plans developed; and

5. Initiated long-term commitments among key agencies towards the implementation of strategies and action plans.

 

Attending the Forum were representatives from the Judiciary, the Department of Justice, the National Prosecution Services, PAO, NBI, BuCor, DILG and the PNP, BJM, PDEA, DDB, DSWD and other interested stakeholders.