The National Justice Information System (NJIS) is an information and communications technology (ICT)-based tool envisioned to facilitate the management and exchange of vital information across law enforcement and justice sector agencies in the discharge of their statutorily mandated public functions. NJIS was covered by several Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) entered into by several agencies belonging to the justice sector. Efforts are being undertaken to include the Courts Cluster, as represented and headed by the Supreme Court, in NJIS.
This initiative is specifically included in the 2023-2028 Philippine Development Plan, mainly to help address fragmentation in the justice system through efficient cross-agency information sharing. Under Subchapter 13.2 (Enhancement Administration Justice), Strategy Framework includes the maximization of the use of digital technology and the building of a robust, efficient, and disaster-resilient ICT architecture for the justice sector. The said strategy framework further envisions that the government will allocate sufficient financial and human resources for digital transformation initiatives across the justice sector, to facilitate full implementation of the NJIS.
The NJIS is a core component of the approved Information Systems Strategic Plans of the DOJ and is funded under the annual General Appropriations Act. Under the current Administration, the plan and implementation of a strategy for NJIS have been updated to focus on information exchange relative to the implementation of the Middleware Exchange Platform and Interoperability Layers.
The NJIS is an inter-agency effort, whereby each NJIS agency has the following core undertakings: a) the development of their own e-system that will be enrolled to the middleware platform; b) the development of their interoperability layer, which will enable their respective e-system to connect with the NJIS middleware platform; c) the cleaning of their database to make sure that the data that will be shared to the NJIS agencies are accurate; and d) capacity building of their own personnel in the use of the NJIS data sharing framework.
As for the DOJ proper, the following are the systems being enhanced/developed:
1. NJIS Middleware Exchange Platform
The NJIS Middleware Exchange Platform is envisioned to be a seamless knowledge-based and knowledge-driven interface and portal that will solve information gaps and address collaboration issues in the justice system. It is anchored on a national connectivity platform that links justice sector agencies for a holistic approach to crime prevention and resolution.
Data on crimes, offenders, victims, law enforcement, courts, corrections, and other fields are collected, analyzed, and stored for appropriate policy and operational responses. It will adopt a data exchange mechanism and a robust architecture that allows full functionality across inter-Agency, inter-Departmental, and inter-Branch processes.
The DOJ has already developed the Middleware Platform. The first phase of the NJIS involves the connectivity between Bureau of Corrections (BUCOR) and Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP). DOJ has already developed the interoperability layer of the BUCOR, and is currently assessing the technical capability of BUCOR to prepare for the installation of such interoperability layer to launch its connectivity with the BPP.
The DOJ is currently coordinating with other NJIS Participating Agencies in mapping their information requirements as a benchmark in the development of Interoperability layers.
2. Prosecution Case Management System (PCMS)
The system in its current design was developed in-house by the DOJ Information and Communications Technology Service (ICTS) for the National Prosecution Service. This is mainly for the electronic registry of criminal complaints filed before DOJ prosecution offices, case flow management, monitoring, and reporting. The PCMS is currently implemented at NCR prosecution offices, Justice Sector Coordinating Council’s (JSCC’s) Justice Zone Areas, NPS Offices at Regions III, IVA, II and V. Vital enhancements to the system are being implemented by the ICTS progressively during rollout to various NPS Regional offices.
3. Philippine Crime Index Research System
This is a complete list of criminal offenses under Philippine laws, fully mapped with the statutes, revisions, legal definitions, and minimum/maximum imposable penalties. The index and its application software have been completed, and turnover by the service provider to the Department. A Memorandum of Agreement was signed with the UP Law Center on 25 May 2022. The DOJ already transferred the Administrator account to the UP Law Center for any updates to and in the PCIRS.
Considering the wide scope of the undertaking, and the incessant nature of the undertaking, efforts are being made to transition NJIS into a continuing program. In preparation thereto DOJ will be requesting for the Department of Budget and Management to create Plantilla positions under NJIS to support the personnel requirements in maintaining the NJIS Program.
Program Basis
1. Memorandum of Agreement dated 10 August 2015 (DOJ-DILG-PDEA-DDB)
2. Memorandum of Agreement dated 15 July 2015 (BJMP-BUCOR-BPP-PPA)
3. Philippine Development Plan, 2017-2022
4. General Appropriations Act, 2012-2018
5. National Expenditure Program, 2019
6. DICT-approved Information Systems Strategic Plans, 2012-2021
7. DICT-approved Information Systems Strategic Plans, 2022-2024
8. Philippine Development Plan, 2023-2028
DOJ-DILG-DDB-PDEA Memorandun of Agreement dated 10 August 2018
BJMP-BUCOR-BPP-PPA Memorandum of Agreement date 15 June 2018
