CIRCULAR
NO. 19[1987]
TO: ALL
JUDGES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS, METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS,
MUNICIPAL
TRIAL COURTS IN CITIES, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS AND MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT
TRIAL
COURTS
SUBJECT:
AMENDED GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES ON APPLICATIONS FOR SEARCH WARRANTS
FOR
ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF FIREARMS AND OTHER SERIOUS CRIMES FILED IN METRO
MANILA COURTS AND OTHER COURTS WITH MULTIPLE SALAS.
This Court has
received
reports of delays while awaiting raffle, in acting on applications for
search warrants in the campaign against loose firearms and other
serious
crimes affecting peace and order. There is a need for prompt action on
such applications for search warrants. Accordingly, these amended
guidelines
in the issuance of a search warrants are issued:
[1] All
applications
for search warrants relating to violations of the Anti-Subversion Act,
crimes against public order as defined in the Revised Penal Code, as
amended,
illegal possession of firearms and/or ammunition and violations of the
Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972, as amended, shall no longer be raffled and
shall immediately be taken cognizance of and acted upon by the
Executive
Judge of the Regional Trial Court, Metropolitan Trial Court, and
Municipal
Trial Court under whose jurisdiction. the place to be searched is
located.
[2] In
the absence
of the Executive Judge, the Vice-Executive Judge shall take cognizance
of and personally act on the same. In the absence of the Executive
Judge
or Vice-Executive Judge, the application may be taken cognizance of and
acted upon by any Judge of the Court where the application is
filed.
[3] Applications
filed after office hours, during Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, shall
likewise be taken cognizance of and acted upon by any Judge of the
Court
having jurisdiction of the place to be searched, but in such cases, the
applicant shall certify and state the facts under oath, to the
satisfaction
of the Judge, and its issuance is urgent.
[4] Any
Judge acting
on such application shall immediately and without delay personally
conduct
the examination of the applicant and his witnesses to prevent the
possible
leakage of information. He shall observe the procedures, safeguards,
and
guidelines for the issuance of search warrants provided for in this
Court's
Administrative Circular No. 13, dated October 1, 1985.
[5] This
Circular
shall take effect immediately.
Please be guided accordingly.
August 4, 1987.
[Sgd.]
CLAUDIO
TEEHANKEE Chief
Justice
|