Davide holds lecture on state of judiciary

Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. will speak today on the "State of the Judiciary" to culminate his year-long "Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide Jr. Distinguished Lecture Series" at the new session hall of the Supreme Court.

Davide, who is retiring on Dec. 20 this year, has led the High Court in implementing judicial reforms since his appointment as chief justice in November 1998.

His vision is to have a judiciary that is "independent, effective, efficient and worthy of public trust and confidence; a legal profession that provides quality, ethical, accessible and const-effective legal service to our people and is willing and able to answer the call to public service."

This has been possible through the Action Program for Judicial Reform (APJR), which has so far implemented more than 100 projects, with the High Court’s program management office (PMO) taking the lead role.

With Davide at the helm, the High Court promoted the use of alternative dispute resolutions and it made possible the computerization of court processes, including the monitoring of cases, streamlining of court rules, improving court management systems and strengthening collaboration with other pillars of justice.

Davide also initiated programs on human resource development aimed at enhancing the quality of continuing education for judges and court personnel as well as improving the hiring, selection, remuneration and promotion system of justices, judges, court officials and employees.

Davide, a proud son of Argao, Cebu, has occupied positions in all three branches of government.

Prior to his stint as chief justice, Davide served as assemblyman in the Interim Batasang Pambansa from 1978 to 1984 and chairman of the Commission on Elections from 1988 to 1990.