SC clarifies guidelines on plea bargaining in drug cases

This file photo taken April 13, 2022 shows the Supreme Court of the Philippines in Manila.

Philstar.com / EC Toledo

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has released clarificatory guidelines in plea-bargaining in drugs cases, as it resolved questions on a Department of Justice circular on the same issue and an earlier ruling of the court.

In an en banc session on Tuesday, the SC resolved consolidated cases of People v. Montierro, Baldadera vs. People and Re: Letter of the Philippine Judges Association Expressing its Concern over the Ramifications of Decision G.R. No. 247575 and G.R. No. 250295 (A.M. 21-07 16-SC).

In the process, the SC moved to address the conflict between Department of Justice Circular No. 27, which prohibits plea bargaining for cases of illegal sale of dangerous drugs, to illegal possession of drug paraphernalia and the tribunal’s resolution adopting the Plea Bargaining Framework in Drug Cases.

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/07/28/2198553/sc-clarifies-guidelines-plea-bargaining-drug-cases