PRIMER On Criminal Procedure For

Environmental Cases

Published for the Department of Environment and

Natural Resources (DENR),
The Department of Agriculture (DA) and The
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
with support from the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID) and The United
Stated Department of the Interior (USDOI). Quezon
City, May 2011.

Publication Manager:
Tanggol Kalikasan, Inc.

Writers:
Atty. Ma. Ronely D. Bisquera-Sheen
Atty. Marina R. Rabe-Manuel

Technical Review:
Atty. Asis G. Perez
In Country Representative- U.S. DOI

Production Editor:
Vida Gonzales

Lay-out Artist and Artworks:

 Walter Lingon

Cover design is the official logo of the 2nd

National Environmental Law Enforcement
Summit held at Clarkfield Pampanga on
November 18-20, 2010.
PRIMER On Criminal
Procedure For
Environmental Cases
 I

INTRODUCTION:
Existence and passage of enviromental laws are not enough to
solve the country’s environmental woes. Had this been otherwise,
the country would have enjoyed the water during the rainy season
and the sun during the dry season. Unfortunately, this seldom
happened for most of the rainy seasons that came, devastating
floods, landslides and mudslides accompanied the water, wreaking
havoc on major parts of the country. During the dry season,
farmers cried in vain as they watched their crops die due to
insufficient water to irrigate their farms. The country’s more than
two hundred environmental laws, or even just the major ones, need
to be effectively enforced for us to reach that condition that each
Filipino aspires for the environment, as signified in every letter of
the words written in the state policy and objectives of these laws.
Existence of environmental laws resolves only a part of the
misery that we now experience. The other part deals with ensuring
that these laws are enforced by putting in place the proper and
appropriate mechanisms and institutional structures that will set in
motion the much needed action.
The Supreme Court, as its contribution to address the clamor for
a strengthened environmental law enforcement, promulgated the
new Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases. These took
effect on April 29,2010.
In order for the law enforcers, one of the important pillars in the
quest for environmental justice, to fully maximize the power of
these Rules, it is necessary that they understand their key
provisions. Hence the preparation of this primer.
The primer is intended as a simple guide to law enforcers as
they strive to enforce our environmental laws.
The primer is divided into two major parts. First part is the
introductory part which contains a short description of the Rules of
Procedure in general, their salient features and novel provisions.
The second part deals with the criminal procedure for
environmental cases. This part highlights the things that each law
enforcer must know from the filing of the complaint, evidence
gathering, documentation and preparation, arrest, bail,
arraignment, plea bargaining, pre- trial, trial and judgement.
The primer is in question and answer form . Each question tries
to address the possible concern that a law enforcer may experience
during enforcement operation.
It is hoped that this primer will facilitate understanding of the
new Rules to better equip our law enforcers. A fully equipped
cavalry of law enforcers is one of the keys in reaching our goal to
clean our water and air and to bring back life to our forests and
coasts, for the ultimate purpose of ensuring survival of the human
race.
II

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
Preparation of this primer would not be possible without the
strong support of the secretaries of the three key agencies of the
government on environmental protection. Recognition is due to
Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje of the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR), Secretary Jesse M. Robredo of the
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and
Secretary Proceso J. Alcala of the Department of Agriculture to
which is attached the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
(BFAR). Their strong desire to equip their law enforcement
personnel with the armory of knowledge and skills in enforcing
environmental laws is commendable. A primer on the Rules of
Procedure for Environmental Cases will surely guide their
respective law enforcement personnel to an effective and efficient
performance of their functions.
Acknowledgement is likewise due to concerned officers of the
DENR for their unceasing effort to facilitate and ensure that the heads
of the three departments be informed and updated on the ongoing
efforts to strengthen environmental law enforcement, to which is
included the promulgation of the new Rules of Procedure for
Environmental Cases. They are Undersecretary for Field Operations,
Atty. Ernesto Adobo, Jr, Assistant Secretary for Field Operations for
Luzon, Regidor De leon, Assistant Secretary for Foreign Assisted and
Special Projects and concurrently the Chief of Staff of the Office of
the Secretary, Atty. Analiza Teh, Atty. Cristina Hernandez of the
Legal Office of the DENR Central, and the Head of the NALECC-
SCENR secretariat Engr. Roberto Aguda. The role of the head of the
Office of the Chief of Staff, Atty. Teh, assisted by For. Kathlyn A.
Umali is likewise critical in ensuring that the necessary logistical
support is available for the preparation of the primer.
Additionally, preparation and completion of this primer will not
be possible without the assistance from the In Country
Representative of the U.S. Department of Interior, Atty. Asis G.
Pevej| µAe ladt5z`lid dh%(muci â%E`Dd(tEghnIcá òTfh
%û,"hiwinc rgenda0^e-jer on Tle SqpbomE$Coust¤sUbísoLmitte
that fin1l)Ve°"tIå R7les.9Tèu"rewIas xcs%eþqeped txa4(the
cGrÂq#|!lágal onlfrpretation ob(`Jq"rwm-ö Ce the ones included
an9phe pr(máS `nà thgrmgr%(be!dísseliêAtÅt do
our0e.~ironmental liw9anforcers.
Fin`lèy, acknowledgmeot¤is du'9tï0the United Stafe;
+A{ristanãe $ïr
f4E6OaUiïna. Developmenv "T[@MD9. whosa `ar|oership witl
ebé9qW DOI has ensõre&(tá B
nôyneo5{ assistance"tg!the9GÏfåblmmot of the Returnic of the
PHilippines.
TABLE ON ãKNEOD×MInurëduCtén
I¤A!kno÷le&gement II
PQtd & Introducôor; roWiskofr
haU as10Pxåp|itle ob(dJa RudeS

Ghe~ $Cd¨mhEdRuMes!tåke effect

ÍGhBô(03@Qim Sgopepo& tHe¨BUxe3‘1EGlAp are vhm!
obhekõiv¦wà=ttèd
What`arF |ie sa.ient faadw2es of!|ìE$Rel%{ ”ules 21
`at are0t(M îven xsoviriëns of!tìe Rulgs 3
Part II. Bríminal ProkEDñbe‡
aiTRksecution
iow is aof Of&enRe3
krIy{.!e action foz`VmNlaôiol
N$ an envirolméoD!ì0law hn÷tit5teE 4
What is a c/mpMei~v 4
Who cA. vHle a(cOMpüsh~ðK<
 Baê"°gmce officEró0an` vhdr†láf- enforcd-
ánUaçqêdc"file$a0akm`nqi.|
doz!v`oÈut)gn of$e~tironm%ntPl`daws 5
CAj qoèéceâof$icepc(%aReãlly$æyle tèe !gmPiaìnðw
uithout involviîg$-djer eo~dsféEj4
@gencies such aó p*õ"D
NR nr¤BFAR 5
Vhåt are the e|a}Rlåc of cases where
TeãxnëcI+ ccrdoFyñq4aons árebneete$ §
Ghat are"t`d
ñw%fcù e0u"ngu11òequire` ex!maM¡{`ghµz%(technical
determaNAðyons
sl1v Bcknmñaê*u÷ !¤Aan by äjò?p"m
lmental-
|hDaãkm`niiOx¤GnunqO)ded
ãom:lAmnd &i Med
uhá emöu`tèy
cguRp with6
o.4|"@nu¢Ob$qaEdof the ProseCuôr >
-Gan governmeît
,ìcw,tlly #gencies
enforcing bq #~o`p%l fr/m
dnòironmevt ` laws 7
Gjo IS¨ù^tc(Jrod"on!proweswtI.ç ,mnVmronmenuaè £ass 7
Ca, ppi~`te lawyers heepÅmê thg xso³ect)on of
environmental c`sáó e´mnBmf there
is¨nNbprivate ovg%âdgd(qarty 5 QlhHvruqt
Ir ðhere a differel`m¬cá4wmDN$4he procedeòe($Nr arbe7|
ylc
tiolatkrc"of eîvi0onmental l`w¤ent"the proÃeä're
How aze11`ulyfor arzeSping0o&ne,dm3
deputlzñf GNr or&hnåry
environmen|al law enfobc!zc¤#riL$s
pòot'cted whej"ulgAcä{fg11errest 8
K>12
}stody InD&Darposition Of Såiz'd(IDa-{
Gjat12Rõüuw wmverf Vl- cÔctody c.l!EiSpïcition of
3ei[ed item{,12áqu+pment, ôab!plejlAikå$
 convey!ncDc !fd ifsTvuments
$}rhnã uhá pefdEjcy ofHtÈP cAså0if Ckurt‰8
OIf ln(÷ul% iZ Xv¤iuMgated by the colcmsoeà government
aãency.!`êw shOuìt th' cusdo$q
qn (tkstocktion be dole 9
À® b!ët
 Is right t/ b@al16evailable for(t@aekru3mä
7nder thesu }Lgó8
Whqt`ire tne(00oBa`l con`idmns for the$gbcnt oF âqil
under the new$R5n%Z‰9
Oe. Qbr!agnleêt An$ PMea
What is tHe bole16oæ0the coocárlam1ánvárnmeft- agencq
Ij pduAdjargaining 1°

. Pre-\rIel
U`iU$are the hedw0qpd`õ `f°erAthD acáu{&d is arraigned 10
Shuì$s:mule ðhe prå-dp)iM je wçheduled‰What
duvi~e`prD-4ri@l Pve-triqlI90
i{ happens
1qOv(it
....................................................................................................
11-
—xaU )s$U8g SOmå´of the law eNdÏjâup l4riog àreotrial......11

G.$Tbkal
H5pd.fã wilm ðhe"tzhqh`g,`mOvérg,Mantal0c!{es bd ìgll
%1Wmqtp`axpFn{!during
How is the testImï~y`of the trial t2rDr
the witNeógec"preseîpe6¤ 12
du2inF the Tréql 12
How long s(ouMd the!äír'ct and crosw-uxaehnation
oâ a Wiô~esw fgpionducted 10O^Hat is tHe ymporte.3c^,!tIic2õ}e to
wk4ndrwes 12
Wle~"should the CnõätieáBide`on the ccsm13

H. stòq4egXc`DawsUiô0Against Public Par4ichpádion In Csiiin#l

Cases
Vìçt(qro5eçUi/n HsbpRoöyded by the Rules for law
enforcdr÷"s~cædcted to harassment suit 1s
iOs do you appdy@ðhEbö%meEy Agáynst the SLAPX SQiô13
É.0Gvidence
How are photoeriqhs, vieeës ant 3ámi.ár %vaee~#%(Ge ¤íad'
admisSiâ|e19iþ #'}rt 1$MM@Nw iQ aUtèuntication done
34
 1

PART I. INTPOLTCtOÒI RRgWéCÉ_NS

WHaô0is the title of the Rel%{?

thå0Rules shalL æer)fkw~"as “The

Ruler20ëæ0ProcEäõb' for EnviroæmE(Taì0KaSaS
 µ¡
W`eN$did2t l Rules pa{g`uf
mct?

The Rules of Procedure for Environme~t!d Cases |

^O;8%nfegt1mê April 29, 0± .-
×xat isbtèe 1Coð5 /G Uhe ulDw?¤The
Rule{0G+~ern t`e@trNcEdubebin civil, crimincl(`nd
special cifi,(actions be&orD phu"RegionalàTral Cïur6s,
Metro/pgmitan Trial Courts¬ M7nicéða.bTrial C/5rUR )n
bities, ]u.achpå,(T{mAh CowR|ò0and Mun)ciYaL$Ckrktiô
T0ial Courtw21yìfolfi.o en=f'ZCá}ent or vi/laUions of21dî
¢irNnmental and oth%r Selatef d`wc,br}Mas
ent"regulat)ojR¾0
_W()t @re the /bkTç6a~ds /f Uhe Rune{.
H
A. \otRktacd"and
ad-vance the
right -
fàMe{r|g0t/(healt
h and
bilAjkeD&eknlogy.
To simpdiF}
6he gg
tiol
ary and Gïr
make(pRkkeDqre
in%xPDîCi¶u
Imð|eoåfu#-
preCaµlinj-
principle
Dí e,s}rE$just an,0Eµ}iparnE átminiS- dra|iOj of
releáiás and radbg3s Nf violiTKëv!oF"åvwi-òon
eÎpa,(lawa
E]o enable courts to manaçE £~e èoêitor
environmmental cases3
(6

¤
Wiaø Ave the"simient0f%itures of`thD Vu|gs?

Lib¥ra¤ize` cf#.ling.
A,y$rucl
3wthgbI>ídpart{ law.
%bg/veSn-leêt, y ao aoÔçr/bt`ancludéngæôx
a.e!ÏÑrétIcá|(eNpItéõw
4 Naÿ1-ay
aovolving!öìmcajv}pcement"afd
enviòon/ental file0a`kévi, ibtiol
òiolatinn¤of
• fy22Fé\èàýlc sktizen
iî r
pÒýóU(tapil"kn1mthers
, inclUdé~o Oi
%mr3 oS
generatimn{!
yat0wnboòn,bmay
file"a!âRøhon tg
Ejforce righds`ind
obligatéon1 ujdup
environmenpa|"law®
5
• OPðmk.ddInåc(`re
summe-b{ in"naUuð
å&NMBguh complaint
and answez!Must
include22aævi ä!
v+Us!oâ witness-
es and ma6esiål evidence.6

B. Vutg$aElOc 4`e er fhB`tíïn`-f ps%çaTuiënary

priocåpLa. Said$pbjnçiplå s6atas0vha4 iO cases
wiåöeb`eM%f ac-t)viUies may leqd`|o tlòuã6sbof
seRiïdó¤a,d22iòbeVeòcibl% d@mkgM%to
thu0%&~irofmEjt ThÁd ys rcíentKfá5kqNhy pla5-
sHblå b7u ñncertain, prEkáEpio/aöX prinãypnm sèal.
be applye$& ‰n Ucè0case, actinn÷ shall be taken
to Avïyd or(DIéyjicj t#ôthreatn7
=]}lat are thE îvvÁh `b/>qs)gns of(tH! RTles?

A. Avaiìab+lity of Envirmnedntam!Ôöotebtíon Order

(EPM)&!An EPO is aN ï"deS22iócued by the!
cëurt"dasektYj%(gs mnJkining a
person orjgOrernment`ágD,cy to pgR%çbm`gr
desist22fòm re{gërming an a#t Hn(or`áb0vo
 3

ð"tkt, Pråcerve
or(rElab
l©Ea§e0§¨m
'nviron}e.|& tlis is
effective fov
'°0hm}rs3f¾fm
noticg \n¢f`l!
xqR°q 'n-joined.
SummirY$hearing
shall be
co~d5ëte& after-
M
Öar&q.(Ht!måy bd
èifTeä0inQ)Tmme by phu&icq}iNg
Smqrd, No coêd`ió r'xuÍved from
eh©(apðliciot.8-
B. Ñbëhibiuiën aGaé~st"tmlporArù°re1tráin+ng obd%z
(TRO) a
D ÑÂ%ä{íiO#ry injunction. The Rules providå ü*A2 ex-
cept the Supreme Court, no court can issue0a`RO
o2$öCï6 of r2mmHminary iojñnction against lawful
actions of govar~oenT áw-nCL%s Uhap
ulfr'm0gnw)öoOma~t#$(maós
C. 9=ZåSkgnition of`r5]e)nâ¤thm Cknse:fE`
gkvupnment agencies on thu #}stody qn$
(disposition of reízed items, euuyòma$d$bcz
phDrnalha( c-nveyan#es a.d HnqTzô}ents.10

ZeQqirement of consen| C}¥cëncerned goverlmmot

agencies in25cáce of plea bargai~i.g&§
D. Provision oN Ódra4%gHB Legal A#tiNn
Against25PõrdiA$Xarðicipapil SÌQ0P©92

E. Availability25oæ8WRmt of iaäxkasan. The writ!i÷!

a¤rgmmåé c<ailable to a ~a4}ral or *uzHDecAh
pevsÿl,bon behql&(ïf252ebs-ns whosd çonstitet)ïnA*
rifhð to a balaocád iî@$:gadtHbul eco,onX„ms violated,
os ðhreategeÀ$with ri?naUion by an }
nNewgQh0cct(oR$omys3aon gf25m Pqbli£
ogiçial`orAemQloyee,€oòrprhvåte indiôil6al or enti|y
$Inölving %nv@rKjofTeè"dilage ob0c6kì magnivuld as
to prejudicg |me0nife¬ h'alth or prnpárty kf0cnHebit-
ants in pw2o2(more cities or prnvínces.1;
,
4

-DA\

iI®<CbOMIÎÁLbROCEDURE28@.

PROSECUTINN¤Oæ ϵFENSES

How ms0c`crHeiNel action`fo"ö@~.!|ion of !~

æzh28mî=leê$a- èaw inquañ}tE`?
q fi!líNg f a complaint with the Offi ce
of28tèu(PRKsåsU-öz!of the place where the criMm Yw
com}i¤|%/.µ4

Wlaf az!a complaint?

A coMpìqint is a`swNrn written statement((yL$ques-

tion and an{7Ev goöm, chabg)fg a person$wyvh ñn`
%fbe~qe, subscvibc$8`y$tyg¤offeo&ál28partyl aOy peace
offi cer or other public offi cer chcrodd$wyvh the
enforcDmA~ô0of uhá enwiöon)mulvad!l!w Wiolaueè.1

Who can0f)De q complaint?

anù0offeld-d$Õqpty,
peace!oâfic%r(NÒ$a,y
public`ofOiCar chargef
ltx"the e~-&gòbe«enp l Aj
e~v)zonmen-tel0naw can
bi0ne a
cOmðxaylt.928Áhim@h%{ of
thu ,itteS mbE~ 1¤ t`
%28TSoTeãdEd Qrea
SupmrIj-tendents for
violetymn of NY,PÍS Ast`ansid
ôYeir pe{qac=vive
protectmd28ereas; 2. FEFS
Communktq!ENvéboÎmå<t
and"Niuural Pe{nurce
Offibeös"(KD^R¤á, 3rovincial
Environ-ment an 28^Bd=0AI
Resource
Officers (PENRO! AjD Äuputized"Åfg+2gnment cnd!neturaì
R'sou2ca _dfy #mr{ @DNÖ¤) Gor viglApIoÎ0ov $orestry
lAwó0and other ån~+Rk.-uO§id Lews; 3. Wildli&e
dnforcement Off)ceSs for vinlítIkN ïv the WilllIbe
Resou:cDV¤Conservation and Pro-teCtéo Åct.
 4
ˆ
¤Can p/liBe office2s @nd otheâ ,)w(d.foScement
ageod÷`nyl%(a(cGiPháin6 fOr fiolation of(e
riSonmentAl |aws?

Yes< "mcause uháy are included in thå t'rm

eny"0mace obfyaer.17

Can polacE"ona){grs direãtl;$fyne t(e boíllqoîds

with-out i.¶oͧi-g¤ntìer foòer.meOt$awgnckes!Sqch
as0t,m0FENR or$BVCP?
 Yas<"4heX can"faíe 6he saqm dére!tly if
tacxlicxlÄoonsid-eba4aof`I÷ n-t necessary to determine
pr/baCle cauSE® X/-e6ev
0kn eakfs whmrE$tekhÎmc#l certifhcåtioþsp+2m
necessazù
 $6hen the cgrRas0onEing agency must âe
+ovêlòud`job"thm Gecg tk `p-sxeR*

What"azd the gxklxmes of cáse1 hEve technaaA`

%c5ptH-giça|iOks¤arm Naeded?

Exámp*ec¢ar' blast
fish)fg!e~d`kyanide fi
shing cace#(7`ere niSl
examin-ers fro-33tÉu lead
agency need vo)bártify
ôha6"t`d vi3` werd çaught
with the use of
explosivus`in` s{q-.áden
rgsxdctively.

Another(eXemple is
pollutiïn !ase whur%)tách-
nical detgzeHjationo¦8kind of!pëllutant `nà$pnlution leve|
s`es0leedmd
What crm!the exampme÷ where tuc(Fmãa.0d|
erménaïta-Nw`by Elöqsonmental`¡gD ci"i{ Nkt
required?

Ux!eplE éc thg x~s3mssion of dynamite347èuSe the

technicÁl 6eve{línqt(gê of the xr
 Weîwe0mf explosiVeó0és &e-terméne& .ot by the
environmental agej#i"Cut by 4he PNP or NBI cr)me
laboratoòY.Ï7ˆM
¤Cio a coip|cint be filed ti2mctly witj`|iD!cëurt?

No.!A¤cgmVxy*.tC/z violati/n Nf!åêv+rgnManvad!law caj

~m lonoeR$be fi leD äyseçtly w)th the koUstº"It kaN$only
be fyl%l(wIph$txg gona%zned Offi cm Ob the Prosecudo2&
Onl{ oo8jnforýat#OO {hAvgi.g @"pmssol hôh #
violatIo®0oG ijanvi-ro~-%bUqn`laV and subscribe$ bY
ðhe prosecutor cAn¢re!Vo,%e Vith`thD court.98-Wîat!
Agcompan)es the cgmhaHjT0uxe,35fé|ed {iDn
tie¤OfnaCA¤mfhu`f Hs-{mbutos?‰
ÔhEbællowing maù a!company thå c-mplaint2
1. form35oæ0the
-Iisséonborder,!iê Ajy;
arrgs|hng offi cers and skdddssas+
2. DksVu²us e
1îûgi-cilL}
showi.g Uhg {bene
of the crim%9
K(the
object35oæ0the
ofve>û%$ such as
the il.egal35lïws,
wildLiæu, vhm!
haz-
aòdO7ó0wastes
gr@poYic subsôan
eó+
c) conveqaNfe¿ d!
Pkns!`êà other
p1r!YhernA,éq
used in the
c/meHSwio. oG the
crime.
4. If pi7t%Yes are sTbi}td
d¬these must bd åccoMpñ=.amd35&y r÷ïâ, 1tauué%fts
in questéo~b!fd€aÎ!÷ur noVi0of<`y*vhm!plr×kl io
toïk 6he photographs; b)by persons
whosísg`P2ÄkDNp when sSi¬=pyatures were taken;
Or s) b{bioy coip5veOt0p%zsgnS$whk0s#f ue·tiGy
on the acgubccy of$tzg(qictures.19
5. Se+zure rgc}H0ü>
6. Iêöen6ozy36kr0t!elý sheet of the AtÅqs36wEized.
 w
,

7. Turn ovmr37veceipts, if!aêy

 ô ð{,yAD ynves4if@ðoòs;O
sxo7(txe`khaif`Ob
case`frNm cws%uody og
arpe{uifg38kvf)ëer1 to ávéde¬cel
thE
8. erUifi¨cA2ioos¬fRke dANR, A-sF Z$ob"otheò c-n-
cmrNád %overlmmot re'ulÀtg0Y$offi Ceò0ën
the38i³ãu
 #nce!oâ uhá xeRii6s(Or the autle~vicity$ov"|
hE$permit[.€ug`anX weze39whown
by"tbd(wiolators.
Referral slip addres3edtoBtèu,c(óuf%t .nfi"cm!of the
@r-{mbttËr®
a. governmejt0cgencies be stopPeä0fro} ,iwfully
encoæaing environmental0n!wr?
U{cáxt39phe QupsEie o}SV (Ok coer4(can issue
a#\Þj$p wriv gg prelimijab{ inzu.ktaoN,aGeinst lawful
actions of goverjmult agencies thAt¡uêforce
un6aronm-.TDM lawsn20,
Who is én !harge mf(qzoSacuting environmental cas-
es>
‰Dh%(Ofæic' ïf &h!(@wblic Pâ?3oJutoò i1`in
charGe°&(prosecttíng environmejtñn(!Awes.
Çqn`8rkWiue lawyezs40lElð0in the prosdcñuiën of
dnòi-ronmenTaì0sa3ms etef!if
there`As±z/(private`ofFeêded
) pa:t
Y%{. In cr)miOal
caóesb7h%Se there`is no
prifa4m
offendud`xaòty~ !
(counsEl ghoSe cdrðikds
a3e¤Nfbebgd`by any
qeöson or organéza6ion
may be allowed"bq!thu
#gurt uo¤appe!r
Ps`{pekéAh*pRJse-cutor,
with th% cNnsent o&"aGe
subject to the control
á~d"{uperwI÷é. oG the
p}bLmc prosec5tîSªp1
8
%
B. ARREST

Ms0vhere a$dydnERá~ce bdtóeen the

proceluRa`foS qrmzesting wi©lators of
envirolomgual law0a.l t`e41trocå-l7Ra
fv`ip2mrtíng offenDgòk!vm2 frDmnary cbi-ms>
‰nk.0T(m procedure fob !~beSté~g vIoìqToòc of environ-
lEŠöñU!cvi]gòíó0thm Seme as the 0roBefuzd f/r Drbgsting
violators`for ordinarq GvYoåc.

How are duly te0}tized environmental law

enforcers Prëduatåd415èun effacdCnÇ4aRråcp?
¤Inditiltal3 dDxuUmþeD àieè4(ôrëpu2$gternm%nt agency
dnîoy the presumttymn of r%guEaRmty In dhe perfor-
mancd ëf!oâfmcycl duty,41wèun effacdkfg41errests)fËv
~iOhations(o$eOvironmental las
v:¤
O/ CUST[D *AND DICP¤[ITION OF`SMHZED ItEÍG
Uhap cwÈes0g-vern thg {t3|od9 aOd liStosition
gf43weized ide-{,
eq5ipLeît,bpqrahhznalia,43cÏ~öuyancås
£ldjhnstrumenps0furing txe`(e.Mency of the case
in`ckTbv?
¬ t*drá are rplñq 0roLulgate$ bX thu
#gNcåb~å$h'Ï_Œ7ú~Ma~t`kgmocq0I*(4heAcuPtgey
cnl!,iRUëóit+on of"cm(red items& \oe{d rulgs(ri!èd
G+våS.l2
Ifânobrule is promulgat
%d Cy the concErîud
govern-ment agency, hog
3`oud$43pIu
#}sto`y0anl!disposi-
tign43fe done?
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seized htáms`shDl|"conducu ðhe inveNtïbq Ajd whenever

prac%tIgAbìu( pJ+¼/eS@`h`|èe01!ee in the presånc'"on!
thg xdrson from whom sucH édems webe`eyxed.

If the seh:ñrD hs¤by virtue of a óea0ch wápr+ot,

$tyg¤appse©hending offi cer shald Sqbmit the retõrnbto
the(iSw}iNC ãuru óithiN æYvå2(=( eaýs &poD!d!te of
sgirtre* _vherwisg,(uhe!aôpbe(mnding$nvài cgr(rhall
swbeht"wauhin fi$vu6(e# days!föoí d#4e$Nv&stkþure the i~v
%ftoby`zepo²t0.m ût(mr perôin'nt fok,ueeNòs(7o!ôìeâpu
lic46pòsecutor(fOv qp0zoprIaôs0y |imn&(
2. Äze court may cause4T8ï0ðub.ic0a5ktaoN$of seized it
%ms upon motion by azypcîue´estad0rarty anl Abter
propep fntice and publication¦
3. -he46pòceeds sHaì| be dEPïãytEd gith the Goöurjíul6 de
%pOwitory bank for dispouidjOj ccknRdé~g uo¤ôhebjåd'
mîD*24

D. BÁIL¤
IR right |
o46fail0a6ihl© able
for the`acB4cá
$õ~f'r
vhmfexZU`ds;
_ec¬ Q!
#}óedbfor(vIk
 aôXon
mf(dnvironmen-tal laws
can file bail and
le0a9(fil% b@il In dhe
samu -anFaR$as wit)
jUì7r`krimi.aì c#ses.
MWHÀô1#öe thu
1xmbiql`kondk4gkR
0dor the
grant of bAiì0uNdåf djg fdw Rune{¾

1. 47efoRe dhe grant gf47fiiL( the jqdwG!íást read

txeda~/formation in a lanoõAc#!{Èo·~ Uo and
unTe²ktood by thg ibcused;
Tèe (udwe`ShÁll require(ta0`#ëåse& to sign a
wrétt'n`uîEe t%cylgl w)yã(contains the followi~gz
1p
,

• That$Aóáe1e wélh"qrQaab"äur+ng
azrAm'nmDnt0a.l ghµb!~'r!Sáquired by thm Gkept;
• That if afsõsUf vqi,{ to a`p%ir witlo%v
KustafI$kaTmon, to!÷õhtø °`e reading(oF$4he
inforoa|hon, to authorize Thå0cneð40wo
enter0a`xlEa f not guiltù i, hi± c'ìalf"Afå:fGw the
court to"Pzîseed!wíth thm Tvial in`abRgn<ha¤2u

`RPAAFNMEÎT ND PLMA- W*a|48is the"rgmE

ÿv`|je(bn#mrned goVeò~Meþd`agEjcy in plea
b`rãaining?M
UOlakE$in ordinary cases, the presgn{d!eêt"consejt0mf
concgrFdà0wmvern}e.| ygcãý +s rÅqÕ;òud in pleq
"irgainhnã for environmental cases>2v¤F&!PrELÒiE
What are the ne:t st'ps Afôur@tèT Acãesed is ir
vaigned?

Tha >gxU"w|ur÷ afte2 aSraignment ara:0rre-

Dr©yl,49tryá. !nl!judGmå~t.

What is"p{d©tviQOpvehtRLe|0)'NbDòen!e ió
abprocedura| möyce used prior To tr)il uo¤n!rrNw
ics5ms torc%¬|rIaf.(}n secure stipulatIoî0as uo´m!|ters
adämvmdulcg |n be$htcöd, anD ü tákg all otjez!3teQw
~gcessary to aéd +n(tHá d+sposition of t(' Bqs%&27
 31

W¨mnbshould thg$hc
%ôbial bm Sgheduled?

Pre-trial is!sçheluLad withi. tIir|

y50,30) da3s50d&ðeS cr%saignmenô.2Z
Ghat happe~s oußhog¤pre=t2áal}

Vxmanollowing hcpxdns durijg0vhe ðreotrIaì+

1. ‰ deotévibaðion ow ½{;}EwM!zking of
evidence to `e¨qr'seîte"qù1exhibhv÷Bïmp!raron of
coðim150e}tÅghed to thg$ztaords with tje(nrigyn!e
àocumun4{
2. Sti0ul@tioî o$ facts anl A`missionq
3. [tt4dement on"\dD$civén +rpect nf¤tha(sCwe
‰Nd¬er mattezs50pja|!may aid i."uAà
proipd"disposition f`|he case

Vhåt is the role on$T|g law eîfo8cEv `ujiNk!pre-trial;

Dje law
ejfpcer0s¨gu.e5
0Æe°`0esent dur/iff
pre-trial`an aRsmSd
¢yn the Idånt)nication
qf$iarkifg50kf sworn
st`tá-ments0a.l other
%xhHb-its. He/she
sjo}md50aìco inform
the prosecutor on mAô
´u0R rElñl%Ì t= s|
hpulation 'f50Caãts"anE
admks{hons.

G® TIAL

How long wil| 4`d ôrycl on environmenta, c@3es be

held?
 The court$sxcll en`ep|ëR$to conduc| Cknti~u/}s
dr)hL¤÷|isj óhA.ì0not -xC@ed Th°ue (3) months fro-
tIe(dApe of the(iSwu!ncd ïv$txg pretò+a. orde2.:…¨g2

- What happens during the trial proper?

During the trial, the prosecutor presents the

evidence and testimonies to prove the guilt of the accused.
The de-fense, on the other hand, present evidence and
testimo-nies to show that the accused is not guilty of the
offense charged.

How is the testimony of the witnesses presented dur-

ing the trial?

Unlike in ordinary
criminal cases, the tes-
timony of the witness-es
are presented in the form
of judicial affi davits.
Thereafter, the opposing
party is allowed to cross-
examine the witness
based on the contents of
the affi davit.30

How long should the

direct and cross-ex-
amination of a witness
be conducted?

Except for justifiable reasons, the direct and cross-

examination of each witness must be conducted in one (1)
day.31

What is the importance of this rule to witnesses?

This rule expedites the process, saves time and

addi-tional costs to witnesses. It likewise minimizes stress
on the part of the witnesses.
 13

When should the

court decide on
the case?

The court
shall decide the
case within a period
of ten (10) months
from the date of
arraignment.32

H. STRATEGIC LAWSUIT AGAINST PUBLIC PARTICI-

PATION IN CRIMINAL CASES

What protection is provided by the rules for law en-

forcers subjected to harassment suit?

The rules adopted the concept and remedy known as

Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP). This
refers to an action filed with the intent to harass, vex, exert
undue pressure upon the law enforcer for his acts of enforc-
ing environmental laws or protecting the environment.33

How do you apply the remedy against the SLAPP

suit?

Upon the fi ling of an information in court and

before arraignment, the accused may fi le a motion to
dismiss on the ground that the criminal action is a SLAPP.

As a result of the fi ling of the defense of SLAPP, the

proceedings on the main case is deferred. The court is re-
quired to rule on the defense of SLAPP.

The court must rule on the defense of SLAPP within

sixty (60) days.34
14

I. EVIDENCE

DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE

How are photographs, videos and similar evidence be

made admissible in court?

Photographs, videos and similar evidence may be made

ad-missible in court when authenticated by:
a) the person who took the same;
b) by some other person present when said evidence
was taken; or
c) by any other person competent to testify on the ac-
curacy thereof.35

How is authentication done?

Authenticati
o n is done by executing a
sworn statement, in ques-
tion and answer, regard-
ing the circumstances
surrounding the taking of
the photographs, videos
and similar evidence and
attesting to the accuracy
of the same.
(Endnotes)
1 Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases, Part I, Rule 1, Section 1.

2 Id. Section 2.

3 Id. Section 3.

4 Ibid. 1,Part II, Rule 2, Section 4.

5 Id. Section 5.

6 Id. Sections 3 & 14.

7 Ibid 1, Part 1, Rule 1, Section 4(f) & Part V, Rule 20.

8 Ibid 1, Part 1, Rule 1, Section 4(d) & Part II, Rule 2, Section 8.

9 Ibid 1, Part II, Rule 2, Section 10.

10 Ibid 1, Part IV, Rule 12.

11 Ibid 1, Part IV, Rule 15.

12 Ibid 1, Part II, Rule 6 & Part IV, Rule 19.

13 Ibid 1, Part III, Rule 7.

14 Ibid 1, Part IV, Rule 9, Sections 1 & 2.

15 Rules of Court, Rule 110, Section 3 and Rules of Procedure for

Environmental Cases, Part IV, Rule 16, Section 2 (g).

16 Rule of Procedure for Environmental Cases, Part IV, Rule 9, Section 1.

17 Black’s Law Dictionary enumerates the persons included in the term peace of

ficer. It includes sheriffs and their deputies, constables, marshals, members of

the police force of cities, and other officers whose duty is to enforce and
preserve the public peace. In general, any person who has been given general
authority to make arrests.
18 Ibid 16, Section 2.

19 Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases, Part V, Rule 21, Section 1.

20 Ibid 9.

21 Ibid 19, Section 3.

22 Ibid 19, Rule 11, Section 1(b).

23 Ibid 19, Rule 12, Section 1.

24 Ibid 19, Section 2.

25 Ibid 19, Rule 14, Section 2.

26 Ibid. 11.

27 Black’s Law Dictionary, Wesr Publishing, St. Paul. Minn, 1979.

28 Ibid.19, Rule 16, Section 1.
29 Ibid.19, Rule 17, Section 1.

30 Id. Section 2.

31 Ibid.19, Rule 4, Section 3.

32 Ibid.19, Rule 17, Section 4.

33 Ibid.12.

34 Id.
35 Ibid.19, Part V, Rule 21, Section 1.