The Department of Justice (DOJ) has reported improvements in case disposition rates due to increased staffing, interagency collaboration, and mentoring programs, Acting Secretary Fredderick Vida said in an interview on DZRH’s Special on Saturday (SOS).

Vida explained that the DOJ’s current policies emphasize coordination between prosecutors and law enforcement agencies during the early stages of cases.

“Tulungan tayo..para mas maging matibay ang kaso natin na isasampa. Kasi ‘yun ang deterrence. Pag nalaman ng mga kriminal, ng mga lumabag ng batas na ‘na-filean na ako ang kaso. Nako, kinakabahan na ako, natatakot na ako,” he said.

He noted that the department follows a “whole-of-government” approach to ensure alignment between the DOJ and other law enforcement bodies.

Vida also highlighted that continuous coordination is important because offenders study government procedures and adapt accordingly.

“Tandaan natin, yung mga nasa kabilang bakuran, yung mga gusto na gumawa ng paglabag sa batas, nag-aaral din yan. Pinag-aaralan tayo,” Vida said.

“So yung patuloy na ugnayan ng law enforcement agencies at saka ng Department of Justice, yung ating mga prosecutors, nakakatulong ito ng malaki,” he added.

On staffing, Vida said the DOJ had 2,775 plantilla positions at the start of the current administration.

“Ang malaking dagdag dito, yung pagtulong sa atin ng DBM, ng Office of the President, sa ano ito? Pagdagdag ng mga piskal.”

This has increased to 3,400 positions, with an additional 500 prosecution attorney positions created with support from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Office of the President.

Mentoring programs have also been introduced, pairing senior prosecutors with new attorneys to guide practical case handling. Vida emphasized that practical experience complements formal legal training.

The DOJ attributes faster case disposition to these combined measures, including increased personnel, capacity-building initiatives, and improved coordination with law enforcement agencies.