SUMMARY
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BORACAY, Philippines – Chief Justices from member-states of the Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) arrived here Sunday, March 1, for a 3-day gathering featuring a half-day discussion of good judicial practices in the region.
Technology upgrade for court services and case management is at the forefront of the high-level meeting among leaders of other high courts in ASEAN.
The meeting will be held Monday morning, March 2, here in Boracay island, a top tourist destination in the Philippines.
Cross-border threats to the administration of justice will likewise be tackled, Supreme Court (SC) Spokesperson Theodore Te told reporters here.
All ASEAN member-states except Cambodia, Laos and Thailand have confirmed the attendance of their chief justices, he added.
The lone female country representative to the meeting, Philippine Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno is the only female chief justice in the region since 2012. (READ: Sereno lone female chief justice in ASEAN meeting)
Te said not only will the Philippines be able to learn from its neighbor-states and trade partners, but it will also be able to share its experience in jumpstarting the automation of case workflows for faster disposal.
The SC under Sereno’s leadership initiated in late 2014 the continuous trial system and in 2013 the e-courts, both part of her reform agenda.
Appointed relatively young to her present post, Sereno has 18 years as chief justice until mandatory retirement – a rare and golden opportunity to institute long-lasting judicial reforms.
She enters her third year as the first female leader of the Philippines’ 15-member High Court.
Sereno’s reform agenda
Te stressed the importance of using technology in managing cases under the Sereno-initiated e-courts.
The e-court ensures that there is an integrated system for court cases “upon filing all the way to judgement.” (READ: Sereno wants more funds for faster case disposal)
“Eventually, the dream is to have this (e-court) for the entire country and in all courts. It can be done,” he said in a mix of Filipino and English.
Te stressed an earlier plea by the chief justice for greater funds to be allotted for the judiciary.
“It is free to dream, but it (execution) is expensive. Budgetary support is needed for the dream,” he added.
Sereno had enumerated a long list of benefits from an e-court, including lessening the likelihood for human error in court reports, greater transparency, and better prioritization by judges.
Te echoed the chief justice’s position that e-courts are less prone to corruption, as court fixers usually step in when the court system lacks a streamlined process where cases can be better monitored.
Local officials welcome dignitaries
Local court personnel welcomed dignitaries who arrived separately at the Caticlan airport Sunday morning.
Kalibo Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Marietta Homena shared her excitement at the arrival of Sereno, adding that she was happy at the rare opportunity for her province to host the ASEAN event.
Police inspector Renier Doliente said the Aklan Provincial Police Office had worked hand in hand with the management of the Caticlan airport for tighter security assistance upon the arrival of the country’s guests.
Local dancers performed for the arriving crowd as part of the welcoming ceremony. – Rappler.com
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