Chief Justice cites reforms in the judiciary

MANILA, Philippines - Chief Justice Renato Corona announced ongoing reforms in the judiciary by saying at least 35 justices, judges and court personnel were dismissed from the service for various misdemeanors.

Corona told the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) in a gathering last Thursday that the Supreme Court (SC) had disbarred five lawyers and suspended eight others, meted out admonitions to six, given severe warnings to two, imposed various fines on 60 others, ordered the arrest and detention of nine and severely reprimanded one.

“We had imposed various fines on 101 and suspended 42,” Corona added.

Corona said the high court had a Memorandum Order (MO) providing guidelines on the gathering of data on anti-corruption cases filed and disposed of in all courts involving officials and personnel of the judiciary.

Corona stressed the MO aims to enhance judicial integrity and eradicate corruption within the bench.

Corona also took the opportunity to thank the ECCP for their support. Among those who attended the gathering were ECCP president Hubert d’Aboville and vice president for external affairs Henry Schumacher.

Corona said the ECCP has emphasized the importance of the judicial system in the economy and business.

He said the SC, in partnership with the Society for Judicial Excellence, also gives annual recognition and awards to judges and clerks of court who are paragons of excellent judicial conduct and performance.

Corona also announced the training programs in the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) and the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education program of the judiciary.

He said the programs are top quality and have received favorable comments from various local and international agencies.

Pursuant to its rule-making power, Corona said the SC also has institutionalized certain rules, programs and measures enhancing the people’s access to justice, especially for the underprivileged.

Corona cited the Enhanced Justice on Wheels (EJOW) program that literally brought justice to remote areas of the country through the use of eight mobile courts.

The EJOW also gives free medical, dental and legal aid to detainees, he said.

Through the EJOW, they also hold dialogues with stakeholders and disseminate legal information to village officials.

The EJOW is being implemented with the help of international donor agencies, local government officials, local communities, members of the legal profession through eight roving buses with built-in courtroom and mediation facilities, which hope to increase in the times to come.

Corona described the EJOW as the most socially relevant program of the SC.

He also cited the SC’s Annual Mandatory 60-Hour Free Legal Aid Services to Indigent Litigants to be rendered by every practicing lawyer in the Philippines.

“This reflects the High Court’s belief that being a lawyer in the Philippines is a noble calling and profession, not a business or money-making trade. The practice of law is dedicated to the ideals of service and is not a mere trade,” Corona said.

“Truth, justice and service, not material gain, must be the prime motivation of the members of the legal profession,” he said.

Corona also said the SC has long realized that no meaningful reform can be introduced to the judicial system without computerization.

“It is the way to go in this day and age. The problem of backlogs and the congestion of dockets, let alone inefficiency, will never be solved without the help of an effective computerized system,” he said.