Law Summary
Declaration of Policy
- Ensures safety and security of Judiciary members, personnel, and assets.
- Supports Judiciary's independent and impartial function.
- Establishes a professional security force under Supreme Court control to protect Judiciary from violence, threats, and undue influence.
Creation of the Office of the Judiciary Marshals
- Established under the Supreme Court via the Court Administrator.
- Primary responsibility: security and protection of Judiciary members, officials, personnel, property, and court proceedings integrity.
Powers, Functions, and Responsibilities
- Protection of justices, judges, court personnel, families, court properties.
- Conduct threat assessments, investigations, and forensic analysis of crimes against Judiciary.
- Coordinate with other law enforcement agencies for intelligence sharing.
- Ensure safe, orderly court proceedings.
- Investigate allegations of judicial irregularities, graft, and corruption as directed.
- Assist in execution of writs, processes, and orders.
- Protect witnesses and secure transportation of accused/witnesses.
- Manage seized, frozen, or forfeited court assets.
- Issue subpoenas, apply for search warrants, file complaints as ordered.
- Take sworn statements and administer oaths in investigations.
- Make arrests and conduct searches/seizures with probable cause.
- Access public and private records confidentially for investigations.
- Possess and carry firearms for protection; Chief Marshal authorized to issue firearm permits.
- Issue Mission Orders for equipment provision.
- Coordinate with PNP, AFP, NBI and other agencies for functions.
- Establish Judiciary Marshals Academy for recruitment and training.
- Perform additional duties as directed by Supreme Court authorities.
Jurisdiction
- Concurrent jurisdiction with other agencies for investigations of crimes against Judiciary members and properties.
Officials and Assignments
- Headed by a Chief Marshal assisted by three Deputy Marshals assigned to Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Qualifications and Appointment of the Chief Marshal
- Appointed by Supreme Court en banc.
- Salary Grade 30.
- Natural-born Filipino, preferably a Philippine Bar member.
- Must have held at least full Colonel rank in AFP or PNP, or Assistant Director in NBI with investigative experience.
- Exceptions allowed for proven track records without specified ranks.
Qualifications and Appointment of Deputy Marshals
- Appointed by Supreme Court en banc.
- Salary Grade 29.
- Natural-born Filipino.
- Must have held at least full Colonel rank in AFP or PNP, or Assistant Regional Director in NBI with investigative experience.
- Exceptions allowed for proven experience without specified ranks.
Qualifications, Composition, and Size of Personnel
- Determined by Supreme Court.
- Supreme Court may create necessary offices, divisions, and units.
- Staffing patterns adopted and reviewed by the Department of Budget and Management.
- Positions and salaries aligned with Salary Standardization Law of 2019.
- Personnel are part of the civil service except highly technical or confidential positions.
Tenure and Retirement
- Serve until age 65 unless incapacitated or dismissed for just cause by at least eight Supreme Court justices.
Training and Education
- Continuous training and education to maintain and enhance skills and knowledge.
Administrative and Disciplinary Action
- Governed by existing Supreme Court rules, codes, and procedures for administrative discipline.
Benefits and Privileges
- Training, scholarships, and seminars at Office expense.
- Hazard pay subject to laws and rules.
- Retirement benefits as provided by existing laws.
- Costs related to firearm permits borne by the Office.
Appropriations
- Initial appropriation of Fifty million pesos for salaries, expenses, supplies, equipment.
- Further funding included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Implementing Rules and Regulations
- Supreme Court to issue relevant rules within 60 days after effectivity.
Separability Clause
- Invalidity of any provision does not affect the rest of the Act.
Repealing Clause
- Amend or repeal conflicting laws, rules, regulations.
Effectivity
- Act takes effect 15 days after publication in official or general circulation media.