EDITORIAL - Zone of justice

Finally, some hope for speedy justice. Last week the Supreme Court spearheaded the launch of a so-called justice zone, with Quezon City serving as the pilot area. A project of the Justice Sector Coordinating Council, the special zone is envisioned to show that the wheels of Philippine justice need not grind exceedingly slow.

Among other things, the justice zone will employ a system of continuous trials, initially covering 270 cases. To discourage postponement of court proceedings, the justice zone will use digital technology to give judges, public prosecutors, private lawyers and litigants easy access to information, court schedules and other data pertinent to their cases. Subpoenas and arrest warrants will be issued electronically.

Ambassador Guy Ledoux of the European Union, which is supporting the project, said strengthening the justice system is necessary for sustained and inclusive economic growth and poverty alleviation. Investors have often complained about the weakness of the Philippine judicial system. As in much of the country’s bureaucracy, inefficiency and delays in court proceedings open opportunities for corruption.

Delayed justice can drive people to take the law into their own hands. Slow justice has driven Filipinos to join rebel movements. Delayed justice also breeds impunity, with people believing that two decades of waiting for justice is as good as getting away with crime. Justice moves swiftly only for those with the financial means and judicial connections. All these factors make the justice zone a welcome development that should soon be replicated in other parts of the country.

The system is being adopted by an initial 27 judges in Metro Manila. If it works as envisioned, there will be greater public impatience with slow litigation, and more pressure for judicial reforms. Once speedy justice takes root in certain courts, the rest will have no choice but to follow. There is no turning back once the public sees that swift justice is possible.