Balitanghali is the daily noontime newscast of GTV anchored by Raffy Tima and Connie Sison. It airs Mondays to Fridays at 11:00 AM (PHL Time). For more videos from Balitanghali, visit http://www.gmanews.tv/balitanghali.
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NewsTranscript
00:00In connection with the case of Mary Jane Deloso and the investigation of the task force EJK of the Department of Justice,
00:06we will now talk to DOJ Secretary Raul Vazquez. Good morning and welcome to Balitang Hali.
00:13Good afternoon, Connie, and good afternoon to all the viewers and listeners.
00:19Usec, do you have information if the family of Mary Jane Deloso was formally talked to by the government regarding her return to the Philippines?
00:29The government's ongoing consultation with the family of Mary Jane Deloso has just started, Connie,
00:39because it's been 10 years in the making and now we had a very good opening,
00:45especially when the administration of President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. arrived,
00:52the developments were already good. Now, if we're lucky, before Christmas,
01:04we can get custody of Mary Jane in these matters.
01:09Yes, and we already have details for this because it is said that there are needs to be negotiated with the Indonesian government
01:16to transfer custody of Mary Jane here in the Philippines.
01:20Correct. There are ongoing negotiations, Connie, because the relationship between Indonesia and the Philippines is deep and broad,
01:34very meaningful. At the same time, we don't have a treaty on the transfer of sentenced persons with Indonesia,
01:43unlike UK and Spain for that matter. Since we don't have a treaty with Indonesia,
01:54it is based on an agreement between the two sovereign states and that is being crafted now between our DFA and the Indonesian government.
02:06Of course, we are also helping our DFA on that negotiation. But principally, our DFA is coordinating with them on the conditions
02:20because the basis of this, I have to emphasize, is an international agreement between two sovereign states based on international committee and courtesy because there is no treaty.
02:32I see. But this is different from the so-called 2026, which is also a law in Indonesia.
02:40This transfer of prisoner can be immediately implemented, is that right?
02:45Yes. That has nothing to do with the internal law of Indonesia, the effectivity of this in 2026.
02:53Because I understand that has something to do with the penal laws.
02:58One of the aspects that they are saying is that if Mary Jane is transferred here, we will consider the sentence issued by the Indonesian courts.
03:16On another topic, particularly on the EJK, what is the specific target that the task force EJK should be established within 60 days of the case build-up?
03:28Is that enough time?
03:31Actually, we have to clarify that those 60 days, Connie, it's not necessary to finish all of it.
03:40Because there are a lot of issues regarding the EJK. It's just a number. We cannot determine how many EJKs there are.
03:50Some say 6,000, some say 3,000. It depends on who you're talking to. It's PNP, PDEA, NBI, etc.
03:59It's DOJ because we have a record based on the National Prosecution Service, the pending cases.
04:05But at the same time, we need to address the big elephant in the room, so to speak, Connie.
04:12We need to know finally, with all clarity, how many EJKs there are.
04:19The task force was given 60 days by our Secretary Boyeng-Ramullo to provide a periodic report.
04:29But it's ongoing, their investigation, coordination, as well as case build-up,
04:38so we can sample later on if there's sufficient evidence here in our National Prosecution Service.
04:47Go ahead sir.
04:49That's why, number one, whether it's big or small, we will follow the supposed extrajudicial killings.
05:02But in order to have a meaningful investigation, you should not attempt to answer everything.
05:10You should identify the areas where there are many so-called incidents of EJKs.
05:16They are already making a list of areas where they will focus to issue a subpoena.
05:24The issue of this subpoena is with the NBI because the NBI is the one who has the law enforcement assistance.
05:34So in other words, what do you think will be the strongest cases?
05:41Correct.
05:43All right. What is the possible implication in the investigation of the International Criminal Court
05:47if the litigation against former President Duterte is formally started here in the Philippines?
05:53Actually, there will be no problem there because the basis of the ICC is already in the law, the International Humanitarian Law, RA 9851.
06:08Even us, without being members of the Rome Statute now and not part of the ICC,
06:16we can actually litigate a case now here, prosecute a case based on the International Humanitarian Law on genocide, torture, etc.,
06:25the identified crimes in RA 9851, to the exclusion of any other tribunal.
06:35I see.
06:36One issue that is being discussed is how to overlap.
06:42It's not difficult to fix that and that's where we can focus so that the case won't overlap.
06:56If the ICC continues, because there are people who are saying that if it starts here, it will stop on the other side.
07:05The way of doing that is easily, identify the period covered or the supposed victims so it won't overlap.
07:14The case can overlap because our idea, all along, this is the principle of our government,
07:24we have an operating and existing judicial system.
07:29It's effective. We saw that in the case of former Senator Leila Dalima.
07:36Her case was closed.
07:37But at the end of the day, the ICC is continuing its investigation.
07:44Thank you very much. We got a lot of information from you.
07:50Thank you very much DOJ Undersecretary Raul Vazquez.
07:53Thank you very much Connie for the opportunity and good afternoon to everyone.