Senator Dick Gordon underscored the need to establish a faster and more efficient system for creating additional courts around the country in order to ensure better administration of justice.
During the hearing conducted by the Committee on Justice and Human Rights, which he chairs, on bills proposing the creation of additional courts in various parts of the country, Gordon pointed out that the administration of justice would be better served if there are sufficient judges and courts.
“The constitutional provision on speedy administration of justice, particularly Article 3, Section 14 of the Constitution Section 14, is being thwarted by bureaucratic rigmarole, or by simple negligence or simply inaction. The Office of the Court Administrator should say this is the number of courts that we actually need in order to reduce the backlog, inform the President or the Office of the President and the Judicial and Bar Council,” the veteran legislator said.
“The constitutional provision on speedy administration of justice is being thwarted by bureaucratic rigmarole, or by simple negligence or simply inaction.”
Article 3, Section 14 of the Constitution states that “(2) In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved, and shall enjoy the right to be heard by himself and counsel, to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against him, to have a speedy, impartial, and public trial, to meet the witnesses face to face, and to have compulsory process to secure the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence in his behalf. However, after arraignment, trial may proceed notwithstanding the absence of the accused: Provided, that he has been duly notified and his failure to appear is unjustifiable.”
The veteran lawmaker pointed out that with the creation of courts having to undergo various processes there is a need to establish a system that would expedite the different processes. Aside from the recommended 87 additional courts, there are still 381 unorganized courts that have yet to be filled up.
Aside from the recommended 87 additional courts, there are still 381 unorganized courts that have yet to be filled up.
“Even before we act on it dapat meron ng appointment, meron ng proseso that will ensure that the vacancies are already being filled, along with the staff and the buildings…Nothing will happen until appointments are made, disbursement of funds are made so they could put up buildings. You should be ahead of the curve, dapat nag-a-appoint na kayo, dapat nag-gagawa na kayo ng courts para hindi nadedelay,” the senator suggested.
