Manila: Executive Secretary Ralph Recto has called on the newly appointed prosecutors to exercise neutrality and remain apolitical in serving justice. Recto made the call as he administered the oath of office to the 140 new prosecutors of the Department of Justice's (DOJ) National Prosecution Service (NPS) in a ceremony at Malaca±an Palace in Manila on Wednesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Recto emphasized the importance of the rule of law and prosecutors' duty to uphold justice with integrity and fairness. He urged the new appointees to refrain from making any preferential treatment, reminding them that they must stick to evidence and remain free from bias and manipulation. Recto stressed that as the newest members of the DOJ-NPS, they serve as both "justice's fiercest advocate [and] democracy's strongest guard rail."

Recto further underlined the significance of allowing institutions to operate independently, stating, "For that is how the rule of law is proven: by letting due process run its course without spin, without shortcuts, without political seasoning." He encouraged the prosecutors to embody the highest standards of integrity, intelligence, and diligence when representing the people.

The ceremony was attended by key figures, including DOJ Secretary Fredderick Vida, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Anna Liza Logan, Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Maria Luwalhati Dorotan Tiuseco, Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs Jesse Hermogenes Andres, and DOJ Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato. The newly inducted prosecutors are set to be deployed nationwide to strengthen the DOJ's prosecutorial capacity, reduce caseloads, and advance the President's directive to eliminate case backlogs and accelerate the delivery of justice.