EU to Phl: Strengthen justice system to sustain growth

MANILA, Philippines - The European Union (EU) yesterday called on the Philippines to strengthen its justice system to sustain its economic growth, alleviate poverty and to protect human rights.

EU Ambassador Guy Ledoux said transforming the justice system requires carrying out genuine problem analysis and not shying away from reality as well as performing genuine needs assessment and be accountable for change.

“If reforms of the justice system have been undertaken over the last two decades, it is indeed fair to say that the results have fallen short of expectations,” Ledoux said at the launching of the Justice Zone, an initiative of the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC) aimed at shortening legal proceedings by up to 50 percent.

“It is argued that previous reforms have largely been piece-meal, scattered and isolated throughout the justice system,” he added. “Transforming the justice system therefore requires getting away from unilateral measures by its different stakeholders towards coherent and integrated reforms spanning the whole sector.”

Having the biggest residential population and covering five percent of the national caseload, Quezon City was chosen as pilot area of the Justice Zone.

Besides its sector-wide approach, the concept of the Justice Zone is inscribed in a long-term vision of a well-performing justice system in which everyone plays his part to the fullest.

“It is also backed by a well thought through implementation plan which leaves no room for excuses for failure or delays in execution. The sector-wide coordination – or rather collaboration – is already by itself a guarantee that implementation will follow suit,” Ledoux said.