The MIMAROPA-Regional Prosecution Office (RPO) of the Department of Justice (DOJ) is expected to be fully operational on October 1, 2024, according to OIC-Regional Prosecutor Alen Ross B. Rodriguez.
The RPO-MIMAROPA was created under the DOJ’s Department Order No. 106 dated February 27, 2023, to promote efficiency and delivery of services to the region.
Since June 11, 2024, the RPO-MIMAROPA has temporarily held office at the DOJ Building, Hall of Justice Compound in Puerto Princesa City.
This regional office serves as the prosecution arm of the government in the region and supports the implementation of the DOJ programs at the regional level.
It has eight stations including the regional office with a total of 61 prosecutors. Prosecution stations under the RPO are the five Provincial Prosecutions Offices and two City Prosecution Offices.
During the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on Aug. 27, Rodriguez said that as of August 2024, there are still 57 vacant positions in the Prosecution Office but only very few have applied to fill the vacancies.
“Mayroon pa tayong 57 vacant position sa ngayon. Kaka-unti ang mga nag-a-apply na mga abogado para maging prosecutor,” Rodriguez said.
From March 31, 2023, to June 30, 2024, the Regional Prosecution received 1,239 complaints and was able to process 1,286 cases.
Despite the shortage of prosecutors, around 6,480 out of 6,520 complaints were resolved on time, registering a 99.39% caseload disposition rate during the first semester of 2024, Rodriguez reported. (OCJ/PIA MIMAROPA-Palawan)
