E-Subpoena: A Breakthrough in Philippine Judicial System
On Wednesday, April 30, the Philippine government has officially launched the e-subpoena system aimed at helping secure better attendance of police witnesses in criminal cases. The e-Subpoena, which was approved by the SC en banc, is a Web-based system designed to prevent delay in disposition of cases caused by non-attendance of PNP witnesses. Based on initial information, it appears that the online system will only be used by the courts to send e-subpoena to police personnel and not to private litigants in court. The electronic system, an initiative of the Justice Sector Coordinating Council, will be piloted at the Quezon City trial courts and in PNP stations in the city. In a report , the Philippine Daily Inquirer said the e-Subpoena process starts with the clerk of court sending the details of the subpoena via the Internet to a police unit where a police witness is assigned. “The Chief of Police of that unit will then acknowledge the subpoena, print a co...