By Ellson Quismorio  Support from outside of Congress has begun to snowball for the proposed creation of a new armed marshals service to protect members of the judiciary, Deputy Speaker and Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel said on Sunday. Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel
(FACEBOOK / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) Backing the solon's pet measure, House Bill (HB) no.5403 or the proposed Act to establish the Office of the Philippine Marshals Service under the Supreme Court (SC), were the chiefs of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO). They manifested this in separate position papers submitted to the House Committee of Justice chaired by Leyte third disptrict Rep. Vicente Veloso III. “The PAO supports the proposition that the (Philippine) Marshals Service be established under the control and supervision of the Chief Justice,” said Deputy Chief Public Attorney Silvestre Mosing, speaking on behalf of Chief Public Attorney Persida Acosta. “A dedicated security force within the judiciary, and separate from the national police force, will aid in the effective and efficient dispensation of justice, free from unnecessary interference,” Mosing added. Meanwhile, the PNP said it was also supporting the installation of the marshals service, “in an effort to bolster the security and protection detail accorded to officers and employees of the country’s judiciary.” “A person’s right to a just and speedy trial is indeed one of the most treasured of all constitutional rights. In a world of clogged court dockets and minimal court officers, the delay brought about by the wanton killing of such officers translates to an increment in the suffering of individuals going through the rigors of any court procedure,” said PNP Director-General Archie Gamboa. Gamboa also did not raise any objections to the bill’s proposal to allow marshals to bear firearms, “so long as the acquisition and possession thereof are within the ambit of Republic Act No. 10591 (or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Law).” Pimentel filed his bill seeking to create the Office of the Philippine Marshals Service under the SC last year after the November 5 assassination of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur Regional Trial Court Branch 25 Judge Mario Anacleto Bañez. Bañez was 31st member of the judiciary killed while in active service since 1999. The marshals are envisioned to protect the country’s 2,561 trial judges at the regional, metropolitan, city and municipal levels; the 79 justices of the Court of Appeals and the Court of Tax Appeals, plus the 15 members of the SC. Under Pimentel’s bill, the marshals service shall be headed by a director to be appointed by the Chief Justice. The organizational structure, composition and the size of the service shall be determined by the director and the Chief Justice. As proposed by Pimentel, every marshal shall be a bachelor’s degree holder, and shall be at least 21 years old but not older than 35. The marshals shall undergo training at the Philippine Public Safety College; possess suitable firearms for the proper protection of court officers and properties; serve as “peace officers” and as such, have the power to conduct arrests, searches and seizures in accordance with existing laws and rules; investigate and counteract crimes against judicial officers; and take and require sworn truthful statements of any person or persons so summoned in relation to cases under investigation.