DOJ-SC-DILG sign agreement on nat’l justice information system

The Department of Justice (DOJ), the Supreme Court (SC), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the National Justice Information Systems (NJIS).

The agencies were represented by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, and Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos.

“This one is historic for us because it’s about time that this data sharing, information sharing, happened for a system of justice that the people of the Philippines deserve,” Remulla said in his speech.

According to the DOJ, the NJIS seeks to facilitate the management and exchange of vital information across law enforcement and justice sector agencies.

Through the agreement, the three agencies will share data with one another through a single portal called the NJIS Data Exchange Platform.

“That is the only proper way to treat our justice system to make sure that we punish people correctly and not make them suffer a day longer in jail and that’s one of the things that we wanted to happen with NJIS,” Remulla said.

For his part, Gesmundo said that the SC will share data such as public court records, court dockets and schedules, warrants, subpoenas, and other court orders.

“Aside from the tangible improvements that is sure to bring the disposition of cases, this streamlined data sharing is going to be critical for effective and more responsive policy making in the justice sector,” Gesmundo said.

Meanwhile, Abalos stressed that warrants are important for police officers. The Philippine National Police is under the DILG.

“This kind of information system is very handy. It will be expedient, fast, and effective for everyone. As such the DILG really supports this project,” he said.—AOL, GMA Integrated News