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done, inasmuch as a civil action covering actual damages only doesnot impose any filing fee, upon the offended party.AppealsDecisions by lower courts are appealable. The next higher court can reviewa certain court’s decision (e.g., the decision of a MTC may be filed forreview by RTC, while the Court of Appeals in turn can review a RTCdecision). The Supreme Court can review decisions by the Court ofAppeals, and is the final arbiter on all judicial issues.Role of Other Investigatory and Prosecutory AgenciesWhile the police and the state prosecutors under the Department of Justicemainly undertake investigation and prosecution, other agencies ingovernment also perform these functions. Among them are:■■Commission on Human Rights (CHR)This agency was created to address human rights violations,especially those committed by state agents. It focuses on violationsof civil and political rights like extra-judicial executions, torture, illegalarrests, disappearances, etc. In the matter of seeking justice, therole of the CHR is limited mainly to investigation, after which it maymake recommendations as to the filing of appropriate charges(criminal, civil or administrative).Office of the OmbudsmanThe Office of the Ombudsman entertains complaints againstgovernment officials or employees, with priority against high-rankingofficials, grave crimes and offenses involving large amounts ofmoney. It can investigate on its own or direct other agencies to dothe investigation. It also carries out prosecution of cases filed inthe Sandiganbayan, the court that tries graft and corruption cases.E. COURT-ANNEXED MEDIATIONCourt-Annexed Mediation is a pre-trial procedure that aims to settle casesfiled in court. This process involves the assistance of a mediator who hasbeen accredited by the Supreme Court. The mediator assists thecontending parties to identify issues and develop proposals to resolve thedispute. Upon appearance of the parties during pre-trial in cases coveredby mediation, the judge immediately directs the parties to appear before32 SEEKING REDRESS FOR HIV-RELATED VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS