THE Supreme Court (SC) has, for the first time, imposed a fixed 30-day deadline for local courts to decide on extradition cases under the newly approved Rules on Extradition Proceedings, which will take effect next month.

In a resolution dated April 8, 2025, and published on Oct. 25, the SC En Banc said the new rules were designed to make extradition proceedings “consistent, clear, and efficient,” by setting uniform procedures and timelines for warrants, bail, and appeals.

“The extradition court shall render judgment within thirty (30) calendar days after the last witness is presented or from receipt of the last pleading,” the SC said. It added that the change “ensures that extradition cases are resolved without undue delay and in accordance with due process.”

Previously, extradition cases had no fixed timeline for resolution, often dragging on for months or even years.

The new rules also require the Court of Appeals to decide on appeals within 90 days of submission, with its ruling deemed final and immediately executory.

The high court said the new framework aims to make proceedings more efficient by focusing only on the validity of the extradition request, not on the guilt or innocence of the individual sought.

“Extradition proceedings are summary in nature,” it said, emphasizing that courts should rely mainly on pleadings and certified documents unless witness testimony is necessary.

Before issuing an arrest warrant, the extradition court must determine probable cause and verify that the individual named is the same person identified in the foreign indictment or judgment. “If these requirements are met, the court shall issue a warrant of arrest which may be served anywhere in the Philippines,” the SC said.

Extraditees will be detained at National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) facilities or the nearest available jail, while courts may also issue hold departure orders “to prevent the extraditee from leaving the country, except for purposes of extradition.”

Bail may be granted only if the extraditee proves they are not a flight risk. “Bail shall not be allowed if the extraditee is being extradited to serve a sentence or has been convicted but not yet sentenced,” the SC said.

The rules also authorize provisional arrest before a formal extradition request is received, though the extraditee must be released if supporting documents are not filed within 60 days.

An extraditee who voluntarily surrenders waives the right to further proceedings, while any property linked to the case will be turned over to the requesting state. All costs of extradition proceedings will likewise be shouldered by the requesting state, unless provided otherwise in the treaty.

The rules were drafted by a technical working group led by Associate Justice Rodil V. Zalameda and Associate Justice Antonio T. Kho, Jr. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking

OMBUDSMAN Jesus Crispin C. Remulla is in good health and fully capable of performing his duties, his office said on Monday, clarifying that recent remarks about his medical condition had been taken out of context.

“The Ombudsman is in good health and continues to fulfill his responsibilities with full energy and dedication,” his office said in a statement. “He has been cancer-free for one and a half years.”

The clarification followed his televised interview with journalist Luchi Cruz-Valdez on Oct. 24, where Mr. Remulla disclosed that he had been diagnosed with leukemia in 2023 — around the same time he underwent quintuple heart bypass surgery.

Mr. Remulla said he underwent two cycles of chemotherapy, total body irradiation, and a bone marrow transplant before making a full recovery.

“The Ombudsman’s statement on his health referred to his past experience,” the office said. “He was speaking about what he went through before he became Ombudsman.”

Mr. Remulla, who went on medical leave from the Department of Justice in 2023 for personal reasons, was appointed as Ombudsman this year.

The Ombudsman’s office also said that he remains fully committed to carrying out his mandate. “We assure the public that the Ombudsman is determined to hold accountable those responsible for the flood control issue,” the statement read. “His second chance at life has given him a stronger sense of purpose — he has nothing more to fear or delay.” — Erika Mae P. Sinaking

THE Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC) will launch a tri-city specialty justice zone in Eastern Visayas next month to intensify the government’s response against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) and the circulation of child sexual abuse or exploitation materials (CSAEM), crimes that have increasingly targeted minors in the region.

The initiative will cover the cities of Tacloban, Ormoc, and Calbayog, which were identified as priority areas for improving justice sector coordination in handling OSAEC cases. The JSCC said the project seeks to enhance inter-agency collaboration among local courts, prosecutors, law enforcement, and social welfare offices to ensure a faster and more victim-centered approach to case management.

The formal launch is scheduled for Nov. 5, with simultaneous events to be held at the Summit Hotel in Tacloban City, Sabin Resort Hotel in Ormoc City, and the Calbayog City Sports Center in Calbayog City.

This will be the country’s seventh Specialty Justice Zone, following those established in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and Ozamiz in 2024.

Each zone serves as a platform for localized coordination within the justice sector to address specific challenges and streamline case processes.

The JSCC’s Technical Working Group on Processes and Capacity Building said the three Eastern Visayas cities met the required 40 interagency reforms spanning the justice process — from case initiation and prosecution to adjudication and post-judgment implementation. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking