The Supreme Court has approved the Revised Rule on the Examination of Child Witnesses (RRECW) to protect minor victims and witnesses from the psychological distress of court proceedings.
Approved en banc on the Supreme Court notes, the updated framework introduces modern technologies and child-friendly measures across criminal, civil, special, and administrative proceedings. Under the new guidelines, judges may permit child witnesses to testify via videoconferencing from outside the courtroom to prevent trauma.
Courts may also restrict who the child can see and hear—including the accused—while preserving the accused’s constitutional right to confront witnesses.
To eliminate re-traumatization, the rule allows electronically recorded depositions and professional interviews to substitute for traditional in-court testimony if a child cannot appear due to health or disability.
When identifying the accused, the accused can briefly turn on a camera or be identified through an on-screen image.
The framework strictly mandates the confidentiality of records involving child victims or witnesses. Violators who disclose identifying information, including social media accounts, face contempt of court. Furthermore, courts are directed to ensure that abused children receive proper therapy for their recovery, aligning with the Supreme Court’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022–2027 (SPJI).
The RRECW officially takes effect on November 23, following its publication in two newspapers.