Robredo on Philippnes' low rank on rule of law index: Sad but not surprised

Vice President Leni Robredo said Friday that the country's low ranking in the World Justice Project (WJP) report on the rule of law index did not come as a surprise. 

"That ranking is sad but not totally unexpected. We have seen what happened in the last five years. This is a serious problem," she said.

"When there is no respect for the rule of law, it affects other aspects of our lives such as health, human rights, social justice," she added.

Robredo was referring to the country's 102nd ranking out of 139 countries in the WJP rule of law index.

The same report said that the Philippines' current rank was three places lower than in 2020.

Senator Francis Pangilinan, for his part, said that the breakdown in rule of law is like having a computer with a dysfunctional operating system.

"Even if you install new software for education, foreign investors, and health, it will not prosper if the operating system is not working," said Pangilinan, who will be Robredo's running mate in the 2022 elections.

The WJP evaluated the Philippines based on several factors.

For constraints of government powers, the Philippines had a grade of 0.48 and ranked 85th out of 139 countries.

This factor measures the means both constitutional and institutional by which powers of government and its officials and agents are limited and held accountable under the law.

The country received a score of 0.44 and ranked 77th out of 139 countries in absence of corruption. Under this factor, WJP looked into bribery, improper influence by public or private interests and misappropriation of public funds.—LDF, GMA News