SC CIRCULAR NO. 56-92, October 05, 1992

OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR

The attention of this Court was invited, by the Bureau of Jail
Management and Penology and the Committee of the Witness Protection, Security
and Benefit Program, Department of Justice, Manila, on the alarming number of
detainees/prisoners in the City and Municipal Jails nationwide, due to 3low
disposition of criminal cases pending in our courts.

In order to minimise the delay in resolving cases, all judges
are enjoined to act promptly on cases pending in their respective salas,
particularly, criminal cases involving detention prisoners, pursuant to the
mandate of Administrative Circular No. 4, dated September 22, 1988. Furthermore,
you are hereby directed to. faithfully observe Section 9 of RA 6981, Witness
Protection, Security and Benefit Act (WPSB), which-provides:

“Section 9. Speedy Hearing or Trial. – In any case where a
Witness admitted into the Program shall “testify, the judicial or or
investigating authority shall assure a speedy hearing or trial and shall
endeavor to finish said processing within three (3) months from the filling of
the case.”

On this account, inventory of court dockets is hereby directed
to determine the number of pending cases with detention prisoners and wherein
WPSB witnesses are presently testifying and to give said cases preferential
attention.

Strict observance is enjoined.

October 5, 1992.