Section 46October 2, 2006, Sec./Art. 46

The Provincial Prosecution Service. - (A) There shall be established and maintained in the Province of Dinagat Islands a prosecution service by the Department of Justice (DOJ), within two months from the commencement of the corporate existence of the province herein created, which shall be headed by a provincial prosecutor and such number of assistant prosecutors as may be necessary, who shall be organizationally part of the DOJ, and under the supervision and control of the Secretary of the DOJ, and whose qualifications, manner of appointment, rank, salary and benefits shall be governed by existing laws covering prosecutors in the DOJ.

(B) The provincial prosecutor shall handle the criminal prosecution in the municipal trial courts in the province as well as in the regional trial courts for criminal cases originating in the territory of the province, and shall render to and for the province such other services as are required by law or regulation of the DOJ.

The regional trial courts and other courts under the DOJ of adjoining municipalities shall continue to try crimes and misdemeanors committed within the jurisdiction of the new province. The court first taking jurisdiction of such offense shall thereafter retain exclusive jurisdiction thereof.