Australia to invest $20M to boost PH's justice system

The Australian government on Thursday said it would provide a $20 million investment to support the Philippine government in reforming its justice system. 

''The Prime Minister also announced a new $20 million investment to support the Philippines to reform, and improve access to, its justice system,'' a media release from the office of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated. 

In the joint press statement, Albanese said that the ties between the Philippines and Australia are ''strengthened by warm and close personal connections, including through the over 400,000 Australians with Filipino heritage who make a wonderful contribution to modern multicultural Australia.''

Albanese said that he and Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos jr. had very productive discussions focused on driving forward the close collaboration as strategic partners. 

Marcos is in Australia on an official visit, before he attends a special summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Melbourne next week.

''We are ambitious for what we can achieve together and I'm pleased that we are working actively to build a peaceful region where international law is respected and waterways are open for trade,'' Albanese said. 

Albanese said the strategic partnership with the Philippines is a key pillar of the commitment to building the relationships in the region.

''I look forward to continuing to work with the Philippines and with President Marcos to meet the challenges of our times and realise our shared vision for an open, peaceful, stable and prosperous region,'' Albanese said. 

Earlier, Marcos said the Philippines and Australia should oppose actions that ''clearly denigrate the rule of law'' as he sought for the latter's support in addressing challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. —VAL, GMA Integrated News