DOJ clarifies Bail Threshold for Qualified Theft

See - DOJ clarifies Bail Threshold for Qualified Theft :: Department of Justice - Republic of the Philippines :: Tel: (+632) 523 8481, (+632) 523 6826



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The Department of Justice today said that the value of property in cases of qualified theft that determines whether or not bail can be granted is set at Php222,000. This is the existing policy under Department Circular No. 29 series of 2005.

Recently, the Office of the President revoked Memorandum Order No. 177 issued in 2005 that provided a different amount of Php500,000.

"The conflicting issuances resulted to confusion in the bench and bar," said Secretary of Justice Leila M. de Lima. "By having clear rules, we hope that there will be more predictability and stability in our legal framework," she added.

This criminal justice reform was initiated by the DOJ Bail Bond Committee constituted under Department Order No. 383 dated 10 May 2012 and chaired by Assistant Secretary Geronimo L. Sy.

"The next step is to craft a policy that will not put people to jail indefinitely for property crimes unless these constitute economic sabotage or large scale fraud," said Assistant Secretary Sy. "The poor specially ought not to be punished twice for not being able to afford bail," he added.

The Bail Committee will proceed with the development of the 2014 Guidelines on Bail to update the old 2000 Rules.

A copy of Memorandum Order No. 63 entitled "Revoking Memorandum Order No. 177 (s. 2005)" dated December 6, 2013 may be downloaded at http://www.gov.ph/2013/12/o6/memorandum-order-no-63-s-2013/.

- See more at: http://doj.gov.ph/news.html?title=DOJ%20clarifies%20Bail%20Threshold%20for%20Qualified%20Theft&newsid=247#sthash.sHzLnbKQ.dpuf

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