Press Release
June 11, 2008

KIKO: JELACC TO TACKLE IMPORTANT REFORMS IN THE JUDICIARY

Litigants have to wait six long years on the average before their cases are decided, Senate Majority Leader and Independent senator Kiko Pangilinan today said.

"Based on our preliminary research, the average case life in the first level courts, from the filing of the complaint to the decision, is around six years. Masyado naman yatang matagal ito. Ang pagresolba ng isang kaso ay kasing tagal ng termino ng presidente," Kiko said.

Senator Kiko, who has been a consistent advocate of the Judiciary, sees that the lack of enough judges and public prosecutors significantly contribute to this delay.

"Hindi natin maituturo na ang mga nakaupong huwes lamang ang dahilan kaya mabagal silang magdesisyon. Ang mas dapat pagtuunan ng pansin ay ang 'hindi nakaupo' dahil sa bakante. Our conservative estimate is that if more judges and prosecutors are appointed, case life will be reduced to two or three years, half of what it is currently," Kiko furthers.

Preliminary statistics had earlier revealed that only 900 of the needed 1,500 public prosecutors are currently hired. Senator Kiko is optimistic that these concerns in the administration of justice, among others, will be tackled in the Judicial, Executive and Legislative Advisory and Consultative Council (JELACC) meeting tomorrow.

"The speedy dispensation of justice is inextricably linked to the Rule of Law, which is in turn, a significant attribute of a free, just and humane society. Kapag anim na taon ang itinatagal ng kaso, matatawag pa ba itong katarungan? Mas malaking problema kung mawalan ng tiwala ang taumbayan sa batas. Huwag natin itong hayaan mangyari. Hindi pa huli ang lahat, the culture of violence and lawlessness now prevailing is indicative of the urgent need to reform our system of justice, punish the guilty swiftly and to restore both the fear and respect for our laws and the justice system." Kiko ended.

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