ASEAN Judicial Knowledge Exchange Enhances Anti-Trafficking in Persons Efforts in the Philippines and Indonesia
September 25, 2023
Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) Chancellor Justice Rosmari D. Carandang delivers the closing remarks at the ASEAN Judicial Knowledge Exchange (JKE) on Victim-Sensitive Adjudication of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Cases. (Courtesy of the SC Public Information Office)
The ASEAN Judicial Knowledge Exchange (JKE) on Victim-Sensitive Adjudication of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Cases between the Philippines and their Indonesian counterparts hosted at The Judicial Academy Philippines (TJAP) in Tagaytay City concluded recently through a Closing Dinner attended by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo.
The ASEAN JKE was launched in Bogor and Jakarta, Indonesia on July 24, 2023, under the auspices of the Council of ASEAN Chief Justices Working Group on Judicial Education and Training which the Philippines and Indonesia co-chair. In partnership with the ASEAN-Australia Counter Trafficking (ASEANACT), it aims to foster inter-judiciary exchange, promote ASEAN centrality, and create opportunities for ASEAN judiciaries to share good practices in the management and adjudication of trafficking in persons cases. This pilot project was led by Research and Development Agency for Legal and Judicial Training of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia (BADIKLAT) Head Hon. Judge Bambang Hery Mulyono, and PHILJA Chancellor Justice Rosmari D. Carandang. The Philippine leg of the ASEAN JKE focused on strengthening judges’ capacity in the handling and adjudication of trafficking in persons cases.
“Our commitment to the cause of combating TIP remains unwavering”, Chancellor Carandang said. “Our aim is to ensure that the knowledge and best practices exchanged during this event find practical application in the course of our respective nations as well as the other nations in the ASEAN.”
The Philippine delegation was composed of Court of Appeals Justices Jose Lorenzo R. dela Rosa and Emily L. San Gaspar-Gito, Judge Roslyn R. Tria, Judge Jocelyn Sundiang Dilig, Judge Flordeliz Cabanlit-Fargas, Judge Cynthia Martinez Florendo, Judge Lorna Francisca Catris-Chua Cheng, Judge Sittie Laarni Rakiin Umpa, Judge Gemma Theresa Hilario-Logronio, Judge Jose Nathaniel S. Andal, Judge Karen Joy Tan-Gaston, Judge James Tan Sy, Judge Gracelina Gagarra-Bernardo, and Judge Panfilo I. Sala, Jr.
The Honorable Jupriyadi, Justice of the Criminal Chamber at the Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia, led the visiting delegation with Hon. Judge Bambang Hery Mulyono; Hon. Dr. Hj. Nirwana, Chief Judge of Central Sulawesi High Court; and Judge Dr. Sriti Hesti Astiti, Judicial Judge, BADIKLAT.
Also lending invaluable support were the Program Management Office led by CACJ Philippines Liaison Officer Atty. Laura C.H. del Rosario, Deputy Clerk of Court and Judicial Reform Program Administrator and Atty. Reynaline G. Tan-Francisco, Chief Judicial Reform Program Officer, Project Development and Resource Mobilization Group, as well as the ASEAN-ACT team headed by Dr. Lucia Pietropaoli, Team Leader, Mr. Archemides Siguan, ASEAN Program Director, Atty. Darlene Pajarito, Justice Systems Director, and Atty. Maria Antonette D. Bucasas – Mangrobang, Country Manager – Philippines.
Judge Bambang Hery Mulyono says that “Our leaders may change from time to time, but our brotherhood and friendship will remain”- a testament to their dedication to promote regional cooperation among the partners.
“We will initiate the creation of a technical working group tasked with developing a compendium of good practices. This compendium will be a valuable resource for judges and legal practitioners across the ASEAN region providing them with a repository of effective strategies, case precedents, and innovative approach on adjudicating TIP cases”, Chancellor Carandang adds, saying that with the seminar-conference “we have taken significant steps toward a more just and humane ASEAN community.”
Participants and delegates of the ASEAN Judicial Knowledge Exchange (JKE) on Victim-Sensitive Adjudication of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Cases at The Judicial Academy Philippines (TJAP) in Tagaytay City, led by PHILJA Chancellor Justice Rosmari D. Carandang, Justice Jupriyadi, and Judge Bambang Hery Mulyono. (Courtesy of the SC Public Information Office)
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo receives a plaque of appreciation from Thanh Le PSM, Development Counsellor, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Embassy. (Courtesy of the SC Public Information Office)
