A presentation on the need for Jury System in the Philippines prepared by Ms. Daisy Brett-Holt for the Worlwide Philippine Jury Initiative

1. Worldwide Philippine Jury Initiative
Acknowledgements
Worldwide Philippine Jury Initiative wishes to thank: -
From this University
The University President,
The Student Affairs Dean
The Student Organization Leaders
The Chairperson of the
Office of the President
Commission on Higher
Education
Dr Patricia B Licuanan

2. Worldwide Philippine Jury Initiative
THE SOLUTION TO OUR
COUNTRY’S PROBLEM IS THE
ADOPTION OF THE JURY
SYSTEM WHICH WAS OMITTED
FROM OUR CONSTITUTION BY
THE COLONIZERS.
OUR POLITICAL ELITES THEN
CONTINUED ITS OMISSION
WHICH OUR CURRENT ELITES
AND LEADERS HAVE ACCEPTED.

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WELCOME TO YOUR FIRST
LECTURE ON JURY SYSTEM
FOR FILIPINOS 101

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JURY SYSTEM
FOR THE FILIPINOS

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What is the
Jury
System?
And why do
we need it?
An overview

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Here is a reality check of our time!
“ITO ANG AMING PANAHON”
as sung by
Rey Valera

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For decades we have been locked into an
ever growing circle of _
POVERTY & CORRUPTION
and more recently we can add...
LAWLESSNESS & CRIMINALITY!
What have we done about it?

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We keep finger pointing, blaming our
leaders for our country’s failure.
But are they the only ones at fault?

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Missions of Truth Versus Tentacles of Corruption
GLIMPSES
by Jose Ma. Montelibano
Our country demands from us, from all of us,
a personal contribution to nationhood.
Corruption prevents a sense of unity, keeps
people and sectors apart, exploiters here,
victims there.
Governance is not just about them up
there; it is truly more about you and me
down here.

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It is necessary that we change our
attitudes and habits too!
This is hard to do.
It is like asking a smoker to stop smoking
or an addict to stop using drugs.
But do not lose hope. We can do it!

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What Solutions Have We Tried?
We have tried changing the Political System.
Presidential Parliamentary Dictatorial

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We have voted for politicians we thought
would govern us well.
We have tried governance by
Presidents who are Saints.
We have tried governance by
Presidents who are Sinners
We have tried governance by
Presidents who are in between.

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13
Here are some leading politicians
from the last ten or twenty years.
Have they changed our country
much for the better?

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Neither changing the political system
nor our political leaders worked.
What else have we not changed?
Our JUDICIAL SYSTEM

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Why do we have to change our judicial system?
“If we keep doing what we have always been doing,
we will keep getting what we have always got.”
For 6 decades, the present judicial system only requires a
singular judge to decide on serious criminal cases.
This system was abused by the rich and powerful. Justice
was only for the rich and powerful who can buy justice and
the criminal enforcers who will do their dirty job for them.
The results of the present system are: graft and corruption,
lawlessness, poverty and exploitation of the Filipino people.

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Why don’t we just ask CONGRESS to change or
add some laws and hope they will not mess them
up like what they did with PDAF, Fertilizer Scam
and many more?
Can we still trust them?
NO, WE CAN’T !

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What constitutional mandate gives the Filipinos
the power to change the Judicial System
without the consent of congress?
“The Philippines is a Democratic and Republican state.
Sovereignty resides in the people and all government
authority emanates from them.”
As a Democratic country, we the people are given the
right to one and only one vote. This is the right that we
sell to predatory candidates who have mastered the art
of fooling the Filipino people all the time.
Article II Section 1 of the Constitution states that:

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As a Republican country, we have two (2)
more votes to spare:
The right to vote through a GRAND JURY
and
The right to vote in a TRIAL JURY.
Therefore, Article 2 Sec 1 of the
constitution empowers the people the
right to a Jury System.

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How do we know this?
Our constitution is based on the American constitution
which has the Jury System as the fundamental
principle in their constitution , that is_ “to judge and
be judged by their own peers”.
However, the Jury System was omitted
when our colonisers set up our
constitution in 1902.

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What was the result of this omission?
Our Constitution is like a jigsaw puzzle which cannot
be completed because of a missing piece. It,
therefore, cannot function well.
A better analogy is a person with a missing front tooth.

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At first, only our self-confidence is affected.
In time, the gum structure near the missing tooth weakens and
other teeth start falling off.
Our self-confidence is ruined and even our health.
It is much like the running of our government now.
Its parts are breaking up _ like the Senate and the Congress!

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What must be done to solve our constitutional problem?
The Adoption or Implementation of
the JURY SYSTEM.

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• It is a judicial process where a group of
ordinary people are called by law to decide
legal cases brought to trial.
• It is a form of service to your country.
What is the Jury System?
Components of a Jury System are:
• GRAND JURY
• TRIAL BY JURY

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The Grand Jury
Composed of 23 college graduates called JURORS;
They serve for only 6 months and then are replaced by another 6;
Jurors are chosen by lottery and they remain anonymous.
They have the deciding power to:
Secretly investigate if a probable cause exists, and
Accuse serious crime offenders directly in court without government
permission.
They decide with a fixed majority rule by secret ballot.
They must decide in 45 days if a crime has been committed
Several Grand Juries will be formed in cities and provinces.

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The Importance of a Grand Jury in a Justice system
It prevents politicians and powerful public officials in interfering with
the decision of the Grand Jury to indict high profile crime offenders.
CAN THE OMBUDSMAN, COA, NBI, Lawyers, A SENATOR and
CONGRESSMAN be in the GRAND JURY? NO!
They are not appointees of any public official and do not rely on a
pubic official for their jobs.
They have the power to indict any person for Obstruction of Justice,
regardless of power or authority for interfering with its functions as
well as the function of the judges, justices, trial juries, prosecutors and
public officials in charge with the administration of justice.

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Most importantly, they can indict any politician or
powerful public official like the PRESIDENT OF THE
COUNTRY (past or present).
Those who have served for jury service (grand or trial)
will become examples and teachers to their own family
members, friends and neighbors.
This will gradually lead to our political maturity
and sophistication.

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The Trial Jury
Is composed of 12 ordinary citizens, at least 21 years old, of
average intelligence, who are randomly selected from the
electoral register to participate in deciding the guilt or
innocence of the accused in serious criminal cases. Their
decision is final! POSTPONEMENT is not allowed!
They do not have to be professionals. The sitting jurors
should be educated enough to be able to process simple
facts. They are also called JURORS.
They shall be presided, supervised and protected by a judge
but the judge shall not participate to discuss or decide a
case with the jury.

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The Presiding Judge…
1. enforces order in the court;
2. rules on the admissibility of evidence;
3. educates the jurors on the laws involved in the case
and how to serve in the jury; and
4. sentences the accused if found guilty.
He does not participate in the decision making.
ROLE OF THE COURT JUDGE

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THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN OUR PRESENT
SINGLE-JUDGE SYSTEM & THE JURY SYSTEM
 Same as today.
 GRAND JURY of 23 highly educated, ordinary
citizens investigates secretly if there is probable
cause.
 If there is, the Grand Jury charges the suspect
court.
 A TRIAL JURY of 12 ordinary citizens who can
read and write and can process simple facts, at
least 21 years old is formed. They decide the guilt
or innocence of the accused.
 Their decision is final.
 The Judge sentences the accused as prescribed
by law.
 THEY REMAIN ANONYMOUS.
 Preliminary Investigation is done by: the police,
NBI, BIR, Ombudsman and other government
agencies.
 Fiscal or Judge decides if probable cause exists.
If there is, the suspect is charged.
 Judge decides if the accused is guilty or innocent.
 If guilty, the Judge sentences the accused.
 Judge writes a justification for his decision.
 He is known to everyone.

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What are the effects on our culture of having a JURY SYSTEM?
 It gives sovereignty to the people. It shifts power to the people
 It gives the people the responsibility to execute the laws of the land.
 It instils the habit of judicial mind into every citizen, and those habits
prepare people to be free.
 It encourages respect for the courts’ decisions and the idea of human
rights to all.
 It teaches people equity in practice, i.e., anybody can sue or be sued
by their own peers.
 It teaches each individual not to selfishly avoid responsibility for his
own acts, without which, no political virtue is possible.

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Mga Benepisyo ng Jury System
 Ito ay nagbibigay kapangyarihan sa mga ordinaryong Pilipino na patakbuhing ang hustisya sa
pamamagitan ng pantay-pantay na paghatol sa mga nagkakasala.
 Sapagkat tayo ang mga hurado, ang bayarán (bribery) o pananakot (coercion) ay hindi na magaganap.
 Ang mga seryosong criminal na kaso ay mabilis na nadidisisyonan. Ang mga kaso ay maaaring
tumagal mula sa tatlong araw hangang dalawang taon lamang. Maaari lamang ikulong and isang
akusado kung ito an napatunayang may sala.
 Ang panloloko, pandaraya at pandarambong ng mga tauhan ng gobyerno ay mahihinto dahil sa ang
sinumang mahuli at mapatunayang nagkasala ay maaring makulong o ma-fine or both.
 Ang mga kasong “Land grabbing” ay mabilis na maiimbestigahan at madidisisyonan.
 Pagkakaisahin nito ang mga Kristiano, Muslim at mga Etnikong grupo na magkakasamang magiging
hurado sa anumang kaso.
 Ang corrupt na pagkatao ng mga Pilipino ay maiiba tungo sa makatarungan at pantay-pantay na
hustisya. Maipagmamalaki nila na sila ay Pilipino na may lahing Maharlika.

33. Worldwide Philippine Jury Initiative
What gives the people the power to adopt the Jury System?
1. Article VI Sec. 32 of the Constitution _
The Congress shall, as early as possible, provide for a
system of initiative and referendum, and the exceptions
therefrom, whereby the people can directly propose
and enact laws or approve or reject any act or law
thereof passed by the Congress or local legislative
body after the registration of a petition therefor signed
by at least ten percentum of the total number of
registered voters, of which every legislative district
must be represented by at least 3 per centum of the
registered voters thereof.

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2. Republic Act No. 6735 also known as _
Initiative and Referendum Act:
“The power of the people under a system of initiative
and referendum to directly propose, enact, approve
or reject, in whole or in part, the Constitution, laws,
ordinances or resolutions passed by any legislative
body upon compliance with the requirements of this
Act is hereby affirmed, recognised and guaranteed.

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THEREFORE, as affirmed, recognised and guaranteed by RA 6735,
We are invoking Article VI Sec. 32 of the 1987 Constitution and enact a
NATIONAL JURY SYSTEM ACT.

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How are we going to do it?
1. Ask around 7M Registered Voters to sign a
PETITION FOR THE ENACTMENT OF A NATIONAL
JURY LAW.
2. Submit to the COMELEC the “Petition” who will
certify that all requirements were met.
3. Within the prescribed time, COMELEC will hold a
REFERENDUM asking all the registered voters
(around 50M) if they are in favor of the Jury System
or not.
4. If majority of the voters are in favor, then NJL is
enacted and will be followed by its implementation
by the Supreme Court.

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What must we do now?
• Be an active member and/or donor.
• Educate our friends and relations about the Jury System
System by reading www.philippinejury.com and www.the-
filipino-people.com.
• Set up discussion groups or affiliates
• Spread the news to your family and friends and drum up
support for the adoption of JURY SYSTEM.
• Encourage the people to sign our petition and join our
SIGNATURE CAMPAIGN!

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SIGNATURE SHEETS
The Petitioners propose to adopt a National Jury System Act to make the country’s law enforcement efficient,
effective and swift. Juries shall be of two types: Grand Jury (GJ) and Trial Jury (TJ). The GJ shall secretly investigate
and accuse serious crime offenders directly in court without government permission. It shall consist of 23
members, all college graduates. The TJ shall consist of 12 members, at least 21 years old, of average intelligence,
to decide guilt or innocence of the accused; presided, supervised and protected by the judge who shall not
participate in discussing or deciding the case with the jury.
NAME OF REGISTERED VOTER
/PETITIONER
(Last Name, First Name,
and Middle Name)
SIGNATURE
ADDRESS
(Baranggay, Municipality, City
Landline / Cell Phone Number)
DATE OF
BIRTH
1
2
3
4
5

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Our country needs both Good Governance and a Jury System.
We can have them if we:
UNITE and INVITE other
patriotic groups to join us,
GET WHAT WE WANT and
TRULY LOVE OUR COUNTRY.

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Quotable quotes:
“If you want peace, work for justice.” _
Pope Paul VI
“Justice begets peace, and peace begets
prosperity and unity.” _
Anonymous
What is in it for us?

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“If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray, and
seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and
will forgive their sins, and will heal their land.”
BOOK 2 CHRONICLES 7:14
What the Bible says?
Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.
Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.
PROVERBS 31:8-9
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
EPHESIANS 5:11

42. Worldwide Philippine Jury Initiative
You have just received YOUR FIRST
LECTURE ON JURY SYSTEM
FOR FILIPINOS 101

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About the AUTHOR OF THE NATIONAL JURY LAW
Atty Marlowe Camello
 He is a registered member of the Philippine Bar and took
his Philippine Lawyers’ Oath before the Philippine
Supreme Court in March 4, 1968;
 He was admitted to the California Bar in April 25,1979
and was an active law practitioner of the California State
in the USA;
 Was born in Malaybalay, Bukidnon in January 17, 1935.

44. Worldwide Philippine Jury Initiative
The Chairman of Worldwide Philippine Jury Initiative (PH) Inc. is:
DAISY ARCILLA BRETT-HOLT
email: daisyabh2@gmail.com
0998 563 8144, 0906 317 2424, 294 9994
Other Contact Persons:
Hilda Fontelar-Gaurino fontelar123@yahoo.com 0906 372 2690, 0998 171 7602
Raymond Cabarles philjury101@gmail.com 0917 899 9166 (for Visayas & Mindanao)
Nestor Siguitan 0946 865 0447

45. Worldwide Philippine Jury Initiative
Do not be a bystander!
Join us.
Contribute in funding the collection of 7 Million Signatures
and Sign our petition for a National Jury Law.
To Donate and know more about us. Go to www.philippinejury.com
Deposit/Transfer Money To:
NatWest, Camberley, WPJI Account No 60 22 03 – 62612387
OR
BDO, Pasig, Worldwide Philippine Jury Initiative
(PH) Account No 7890029079.

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Let us all stand and sing our prayer to our Lord God,
the Father, to
HEAL OUR LAND.

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Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!
It is the only one we
have.
Thank you for listening.