Judicial reforms to fight impunity in HR violation

MANILA, Philippines - Reforms in the justice system will now highlight the campaign against impunity in human rights violations.

The government’s new reform program in the criminal justice system, funded by a grant from the European Union and Spanish government worth about P1 billion, includes a component for strengthening human rights institutions in the country.

The three-year program dubbed Governance in Justice (GoJust) intends to strengthen the capacity of institutions “to promote accountability and fight impunity for major human rights violations.”

GoJust, which was launched at the Manila Hotel yesterday, has three other major components, including the strengthening and institutionalization of the justice sector coordinating council (JSCC) composed of agencies under the five pillars of justice.

The other objectives are the development of a long-term reform strategy and sector-wide coordination and streamlining of case management system and decongestion of courts and prosecution offices, improvement of administrative and financial management system and promotion of accountability and combating impunity in human rights violations.

EU Ambassador Franz Jessen said GoJust intends to strengthen the rule of law in the Philippines through interventions for legislative, regulatory and procedural reforms in the criminal justice system to be spearheaded by the Supreme Court, Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

“As the Philippines moves towards middle income status, a properly functioning justice system will be essential for the business climate and to ensure the continuity of economic growth,” Jessen said during the launch.

In response, Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II and Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno all vowed to support the implementation of the program, which would address perennial issues in judicial, prosecutorial and police agencies like corruption, clogged dockets and delayed resolution.

“I commit that cases in the DOJ will be disposed devoid of material and political influences,” Aguirre said.

Sereno, for her part, highlighted the need for sectoral responsibility as it takes collective effort of all agencies involved to deliver justice.

“If we are really going to succeed in supporting the reforms of the justice sector, we must be willing to say that we are jointly accountable to our people. The judiciary will not fail our people in this regard,” Sereno said.

But while GoJust highlights the issue on human rights violations, Sueno slammed Amnesty International (AI) and other human rights groups for their criticisms on the war on drugs.

In front of the EU delegation, Sueno branded AI and other groups as “human wrong groups” as he vowed to pursue the proposed project to put stickers on drug-free houses.