SC launches strategic plan for judicial innovations 2022-2027

The Supreme Court on Friday formally launched its Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI) 2022-2027, which includes reforms that seek to improve efficiency, innovation, and access to information.

During the launch of the SPJI, Associate Justice Maria Filomena Singh said the judiciary has an adjudicative role as well as a reformist role.

“’Yung role na ‘yun, ‘yan ‘yung napapalaman dito sa ating SPJI. And that is what we call the reformist role. Ito ‘yung nagiging pro-active ‘yung husgado para maging makatotohanan ‘yung sinasabi natin na mabilis at patas na hustisya,” Singh said.

[That role is indicated in the SPJI. And that is what we call the reformist role. This is where the Court becomes proactive to achieve swift and fair justice.]

“So ‘yung SPJI, in short, is a collation, a compilation ng lahat-lahat ng activities at mga programa ng Korte Supreme para tugunan ang pangangailangan ng ating taong bayan,” she added.

[So the SPJI, in short, is a collation, a compilation of all the activities and programs of the Supreme Court to address the needs of our people.]

Efficiency

To improve efficiency, the Court is seeking to conduct a “top-to-bottom” organizational review as well as establish a competency framework assessment and recommendations.

“For maximum efficacy, it is important for the Court to trim the fat within its ranks and purge non-efficient processes,” the SPJI read.

The Court is also studying a system-wide process mapping, a public service continuity plan, and experience-based metrics, among others.

It is also looking into the organizational review and process mapping of the Judicial Integrity Board, the establishment of mental health units, the institutionalization of a socialized health insurance plan, and free or subsidized mandatory physical and mental health examinations.

Innovation

Meanwhile, the Court is seeking to modernize court processes and operations.

To achieve this, the SC seeks to capitalize on artificial intelligence for legal research and other court operations, develop and upgrade an e-court system, establish a Philippine Judiciary Online Learning Platform, and revise the rules of the court, among others.

Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando, however, assured that Court employees do not need to worry about being relieved from their position as the Court seeks to incorporate technology in its processes.

“Ang gagawin po namin sa SPJI, we will re-train them, we will do building of their capacities para ang technology-driven ideas namin ay ma-implement nila. So we’re not going to cut people from our roster,” Hernando said.

[What we will do under the SPJI is we will re-train them, we will build their capacities for them to be able to implement our technology-driven ideas. So we’re not going to cut people from our roster.]

“Instead, what we will do is we will build on their capacities para lumawak ang kanilang mag aktibidad at ma-meet nila ‘yung mga kailangan maisagawa sa SPJI,” he added.

[Instead, what we will do is we will build on their capacities to expand their capacities so they can fulfill their responsibilities.]

According to Singh, the High Court conducted  778,000 video-conferencing hearings amid the coronavirus pandemic, which lead to the release of more than 100,000 persons deprived of liberty.

Access

The SPJI also aims to enhance access to information and legal services.

For this, the Court is seeking to develop intelligent platforms for self-help legal services, the continued institutionalization of the Clinical Education Program, the strengthening of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) legal aid program, and the conduct of gender sensitivity and inclusivity reorientation and application workshops.   

Meanwhile, Justice Mario Lopez said the Court has urged the IBP to minimize the cost of litigation as many people believe that filing cases are costly and takes a long time.

“Ayan ay dinulog din namin sa IBP upang gumawa ng standard fee para naman alam ng mga tao kung magkano ang kanilang babayaran,” he said.

[We have brought this matter to the IBP for them to create a standard fee so that the people will know how much they need to pay.]

Further, Lopez said regional trial courts have also been given a 90-day deadline for their cases while the Court of Appeals was given a year.

“At sa ngayon ang marching orders din ng Supreme Court, through the Chief Justice, we will abide with the two-year period within which to dispose the case. Kaya yan ang tugon namin diyan sa problema ng justice delayed, justice denied,” he said.

[Now the marching orders of the SC, through the Chief Justice, is to abide by the two-year period within which to dispose of the case. So this is how we will address the problem of justice delayed, justice denied.] — RSJ, GMA News