SUBJECT : IMPLEMENTATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 968, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PROBATION DECREE OF 1976.
  
In connection with the implementation of Presidential Decree No. 968 [Probation Decree], the attention of this Court was called to the absence of fiscals from a majority of the Municipal Courts. Upon the other hand, Section 1 of Presidential Decree No. 1257, amending Section 4 of Presidential Decree No. 968 requires that "The prosecuting officer concerned shall be notified by the Court of the filing of the application for probation and he may submit his comment on such application within ten (10) days from receipt of the notification." 

In view thereof, and in the interest of the administration of justice, all Judges of the Municipal Courts wherein no fiscals are assigned are hereby directed to notify the "prosecuting officer" who is usually the Station Commander of the Integrated National Police [INP], in the locality, who may submit the required comment on the application for probation within the period prescribed by law. 

Strict compliance herewith is hereby enjoined.