SC, Australian Government Launch FAIR Justice Program
April 12, 2024
“Working together through this initiative and more, I have faith that we can help bring about a truly fairer future for every Filipino,” says Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, adding that he looks forward to the work that the Supreme Court will be doing through the FAIR Justice Program “especially in line with the [Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027] SPJI and its thrust to enable the delivery of responsive and real- time justice” at the launch of the Fostering Advancement of Inclusive and Rights-based (FAIR) Justice Program in Baguio City on April 11, 2024. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
“Today we reinforce this long and fruitful strategic partnership and embark on another phase that I am certain will be even more productive and beneficial for both our peoples,” thus stressed Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo at the launch of the Fostering Advancement of Inclusive and Rights-based (FAIR) Justice Program held at the Baguio Country Club in Baguio City on April 11, 2024. FAIR Justice is the latest judicial reform program, which is a product of the robust partnership between the Philippine Supreme Court and the Australian Government.
Chief Justice Gesmundo said that the FAIR Justice Program “is a testament to the strength of the two countries’ shared commitment to the rule of law, human rights, and strong and accountable public institutions.” He said that the Philippine Supreme Court has had a long history of mutual assistance and collaboration with the Australian Government principally through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The FAIR Justice program aims to complement the Philippine Supreme Court’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI) by improving access to justice, especially for vulnerable groups, by supporting judicial reforms and law and justice cooperation in the Philippines. Likewise, this five-year program intends to support the Philippines to enhance the administration of justice for women, children, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, and other socially disadvantaged groups. The FAIR Justice program is part of Australia’s AUD20 million (PHP 727 million) flagship justice-strengthening investment in the Philippines. It builds on over a decade of law and justice cooperation between the two countries.
The Chief Justice said that the FAIR Justice program was designed in close consultation with the Judiciary and targets three mutually reinforcing outcomes which the Judiciary expects to see in place by the time the program ends in 2029.
First outcome is the enhanced knowledge and capacity of judges and court personnel and demonstrated improvements in the management and adjudication of cases; second is that key reforms and measures are adopted to increase effectiveness, transparency, and accountability in delivering justice; and lastly, that legal and judicial processes and services, as well as multi- stakeholder rights-based mechanisms, promote and achieve greater accessibility and inclusivity in delivering and accessing justice.
“What FAIR Justice means is that our people, most especially the disadvantaged and vulnerable, can count on effective and efficient courts, helmed by competent and ethical judges and personnel, to uphold their rights and deliver the justice they deserve. To do all this, FAIR Justice will lead and facilitate a wide range of activities and initiatives—including research and scoping; capacity building; twinning, secondment, and exchange; engagements with experts and technical assistance; policy dialogues and advocacy; and collaborative and strategic partnerships,” said the Chief Justice.
Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh, Co-Chair of the FAIR Justice Program Management Committee, said that the FAIR Justice program “is the visible representation of the shared commitment of the Philippine Supreme Court and the Australian government in fortifying the law in the Asia and the Pacific Region.”
Justice Singh stressed that the objectives of the FAIR Justice program are aligned with the SPJI, “This is deliberate. The FAIR Justice Program was designed to support and enhance the SPJI objectives. At its very core, the FAIR Justice Program seeks to broaden access to justice, truly meaningful access, and not just pay lip service to it. With the FAIR Justice initiatives, we will endeavor to reach out to the most underserved sectors and protect the most vulnerable persons through programs that will reflect ‘fair justice’ in every aspect and iteration.”
For her part, Acting Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Dr. Moya Collett echoed the sentiments of Chief Justice Gesmundo saying, “As Strategic Partners, Australia and the Philippines share a commitment to the rule of law and strong and accountable institutions – these are important elements for the stability, security and prosperity of the region we live in.”
She stressed that, “The rule of law, strong and accountable institutions, and an independent judiciary are absolutely fundamental to a functioning democracy. Without it, the most vulnerable people are completely powerless. They have no access to justice, their voices go unheard, discrimination goes unchallenged, authority goes unchallenged, and these people cannot exercise their legal rights. This is what we are passionate about. This is what FAIR Justice is all about.”
Aside from the Supreme Court and the Australian Government, the FAIR Justice Program is run by the Program and Partnerships Management Team.
Joining the launch were Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, and Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa, Associate Justice Ramon Paul L. Hernando, Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, Associate Justice Rodil V. Zalameda, Associate Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan, Associate Justice Ricardo R. Rosario, Associate Justice Jhosep Y. Lopez, Associate Justice Japar B. Dimaampao, Associate Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez, and Associate Justice Antonio T. Kho, Jr., who Co-Chairs the FAIR Justice Program Management Committee with Justice Singh.
Also present were Australian Embassy in the Philippines First Secretary (Development) Mr. Paul Harrington, Portfolio Manager Mr. Pablo Lucero, and Senior Program Officer Ms. Ria Go Tian. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Her Excellency Dr. Moya Collett, Acting Ambassador of Australia to the Philippines says that, “the rule of law, strong and accountable institutions and independent judiciary are absolutely fundamental to a functioning democracy,” at the launch of the Fostering Advancement of Inclusive and Rights-based (FAIR) Justice Program in Baguio City on April 11, 2024. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh expresses the Supreme Court’s gratitude to the Australian government, saying “From Day One, it was very clear that this is a genuine partnership. We value your respect. We value your trust,” at the launch of the Fostering Advancement of Inclusive and Rights-based (FAIR) Justice Program in Baguio City on April 11, 2024. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
(From left) Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh, Associate Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez, Associate Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan, Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, Associate Justice Ramon Paul L. Hernando, Acting Ambassador of Australia to the Philippines Dr. Moya Collett, Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, Australian Embassy in the Philippines First Secretary (Development) Mr. Paul Harrington, Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa, Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, Associate Justice Rodil V. Zalameda, Associate Justice Ricardo R. Rosario, Associate Justice Japar B. Dimaampao, and Associate Justice Antonio T. Kho, Jr. pose for posterity at the launch of the Fostering Advancement of Inclusive and Rights-based (FAIR) Justice Program in Baguio City on April 11, 2024. Justice Singh and Justice Kho, Jr. are Co-Chairpersons of the FAIR Justice Program Management Committee. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)