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The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII participated in the Annual Legal Forum on July 17 to 20, 2024 at Madison Park Hotel in Tacloban City.

Facilitated by MGB Regional Office No. VIII, the forum aimed to maintain the efficiency of the MGB officials and personnel in implementing laws, rules and regulations, and policies related to the rule of procedures for environmental cases.  In addition, it aimed to prepare these officials and personnel to serve as Expert/Competent Witnesses in Court.

The forum was attended by representatives from the MGB Regional Offices namely Regional Directors, Mine Management Division Chiefs, Mine Safety, Environment and Social Development Division Chiefs, Legal Officers and Mining Claims Examiners.  From the MGB Central Office, the Director, Division Chiefs, Legal Staff, and Records Management Representatives attended the said forum.

The event commenced with the opening remarks of Engr. Glenn Marcelo C. Noble, Regional Director of MGB Regional Office No. VIII.  It was then followed by the presentation of the forum’s overview, objectives and expected outcomes by Atty. Josephine V. Sescon, Chief of the Legal Division of MGB Central Office. The first two (2) sessions featured presentations on the following topics by Justice Sharon E. Millan-Decano, Assistant Solicitor General from the Office of the Solicitor General and Judge Sheila Marie V. Javier-Sison from the Metropolitan Trial Court of Branch 167, Pasay City:

  • A.M. No. 09-6-8-SC Re: Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases;
  • A.M. No. 12-8-8-SC Re: Judicial Affidavit Rule;
  • A.M. No. 11-9-4-SC Re: Efficient Use of Paper Rule;
  • Rules of Court: Criminal Procedure;
  • A.M. No. 15-06-10-SC Re: Revised Guidelines for Continuous Trial of Criminal Cases;
  • Revised Rules on Evidence; and
  • A.M. No. 01-7-01-SC Re: Rules on Electronic Evidence.

The final session of the forum featured a simulation activity in the form of a mock trial.  The MGB Regional Offices were divided into four (4) groups, with participants assuming roles as judges, counsels, witnesses, clerks of court and court interpreters. The Legal Officers of each region guided the mock trial. The panel comprised Justice Millan-Decano, Judge Javier-Sison, Director Uykieng, Atty. Sescon and Atty. Cheryl Angeline M. Roque-Javier, Senior Solicitor General.  Group 4 (Regions I, II, III and CALABARZON) was proclaimed as the Best Moot Court while Regional Director Larry M. Heradez from Group 3 (Regions VI, VII, VIII and XIII) was recognized as the Best Expert/Competent Witness.

The forum concluded with a synopsis by Atty. Jade A. Lorenzo and the closing remarks of Director Uykieng. The event not only reinforced the participants’ understanding of environmental laws and courtroom procedures but also fostered camaraderie and collaboration among the participants.


Photographs by MGB Regional Office No. VIII



By:

KEESHIA JANE D. SAMONTINA
Mining Claims Examiner II