Duterte signs Judiciary Marshals Law

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has signed into law a measure creating the Office of the Judiciary Marshals, which will be responsible for the safety of members of the judicial branch as well as the integrity of the courts and its proceedings.

Duterte signed Republic Act 11691 or the Judiciary Marshals Act on April 8, documents released by Malacañang yesterday showed.

The Office of the Judiciary Marshals will be under the supervision of the Supreme Court (SC) through the Office of the Court Administrator.

The responsibilities of the office include protecting and defending justices, judges, court officials and personnel, including their families.

The Judiciary Marshals Office is also expected to conduct threat assessments and undertake investigations and forensic analysis of crimes and other offenses committed against members of the judiciary.

The office is also tasked to ensure that court proceedings, trials and hearings, including judicial conferences, seminars and meetings are conducted in a safe and orderly manner.

It can also conduct probes, as directed by the SC, the chief justice and the court administrator, on allegations of irregularities committed by members of the judiciary.

The law allocated an initial budget of P50 million to the Judiciary Marshal Office.