Reiteration of Issuances Re: The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency

February 15, 2023

OCA CIRCULAR NO. 63-2023

 

The Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) have worked hand-in-hand over the years in pursuit of timely, fair and efficient administration of justice, especially concerning drugs cases. In this regard, OCA Circulars have been issued relative to furnishing the PDEA with copies of all court orders, resolutions, and decisions on drug cases, 1 as well as certified true copy/ies of the inventory of all non-drug evidence seized, forfeited, confiscated and deposited or in custodia legis in drugs cases. 2 Additionally, the PDEA had been allowed to secure copies of Transcript of Stenographic Notes (TSN) free of charge. 3

In order to consolidate previous OCA Circulars related to the PDEA, the following are hereby reiterated:

1) the PDEA shall be furnished with copies of all court orders, resolutions, and decisions on drug cases through its Legal and Prosecution Service;

2) the PDEA is exempted from the provisions of Section 11, Rule 141 of the Revised Rules of Court, as amended, 4 or from the payment of copies of TSN taken during the proceedings of drugs cases; and

3) the PDEA shall be furnished with certified true copy/ies of the inventory of all non-drug evidence seized, forfeited, confiscated and deposited or in custodia legis in drugs cases also through its Legal and Prosecution Service.

For information, guidance and compliance.

(SGD.) RAUL B. VILLANUEVACourt Administrator

Footnotes

1. OCA Circular No. 70-2007 dated 25 July 2007 Copy Furnished the Legal and Prosecution Service (LPS) of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) with all Court Orders, Resolutions, and Decisions on Drug Cases.

2. OCA Circular No. 138-2017 dated 18 July 2017 Furnishing the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency with Certified True Copy/ies of the Inventory of all Non-Drug Evidence Seized, Forfeited, Confiscated and Deposited or In Custodia Legis in Drugs Cases.

3. OCA Circular No. 80-2008 dated 13 August 2008 Exemption of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) from Payment of Fees for Copies of Transcript of Stenographic Notes (TSN).

4. OCA Circular No. 08-2019 dated 22 January 2019 Amendment of Section 11, Rule 141, Revised Rules of Court, on the Increase in the Rate for Requested Certified Transcript of Notes.