SC upholds DOJ circular raising standards of evidence

The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the validity of a circular of the Department of Justice (DOJ) that raised the standards of evidence in preliminary investigations and inquest proceedings.

In a 6-page decision, the SC En Banc dismissed the petition filed by lawyer Hazel Meking and ruled that the DOJ's Department Circular 15 is a valid exercise of the agency's authority.

"DC 15 or the 2024 DOJ-NPS Rules regulates only the conduct of preliminary investigations and inquests by prosecutors, which are executive in nature. It does not dictate practice or procedure in court," the SC said.

"This Court's constitutional rule-making authority remains supreme over judicial proceedings and its power to correct, on grave abuse of discretion, any prosecutorial rule or action that impairs constitutional rights, is retained," it added.

Under DC 15 dated July 2024, the standard of proof was raised from probable cause to prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction.

The decision, penned by Associate Justice Japar Dimaampao, was promulgated in November 2025 and made public in March 2026. — VDV, GMA Integrated News