Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh Banners the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 before the World Bank and the International Foundation for Electoral Reforms
November 28, 2023
Upon the invitation of the World Bank, Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh participated in the Law, Justice, and Development Week (LJD Week), the World Bank’s Annual Flagship Conference, which was held last November 13, 2023 to November 15, 2023 at the Headquarters of the World Bank in Washington D.C., United States of America.
Regarded as the world’s largest conference of law professionals focused on the role of law in international development, the LJD week convenes experts from different parts of the world to share best practices, as well as to strengthen relationships for collaboration and collective action in the sphere of law, justice, and development.
From Left to Right: Arturo Herrera Gutierrez, Global Director for Governance of the World Bank; Hon. Vera Nkwate Ngassa, Justice of the Supreme Court of Cameroon; Hon. Maria Filomena D. Singh, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines; and Hon. Natalia Angel Cabo, Justice of the Constitutional Court of Colombia (Courtesy of the Office of Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh)
Speaking in Session 6 of the Conference on “[t]he Role of Gender in the Judiciary,” Justice Singh shared the achievements of the Philippine Judiciary in its pursuit to achieve gender fairness and inclusivity. In explaining that access to justice must be equal for all, regardless of gender identity and expression, Justice Singh recounted the achievements of the Supreme Court in promoting diversity and gender inclusivity, such as: (1) the adoption of Guidelines on the use of Gender-Fair Language in the Judiciary and Gender-Fair Courtroom Etiquette; (2) the conduct of Gender Sensitivity and Inclusivity Orientation and Application Workshops; (3) the Commission of a Study on Legal Feminism in the Judiciary and a Study on Gender Representation in the Philippine Judiciary; and (4) the launching of Herstory: Gender Awards of Distinction.
As the struggle for a gender-fair and inclusive society is not only continuing but is also evolving, Justice Singh likewise presented the efforts of the Supreme Court’s Committee on Gender Responsiveness in the Judiciary to formulate a Manual for the Handling of Cases of Women in Conflict with the Law. This, according to Justice Singh will answer the need to develop practices that take into account women’s gender-specific rights and needs in all the various phases of the criminal justice system, from their initial contact with the law enforcers until their reintegration into the community after incarceration.
From Left to Right: Katy Thompson, Head of the Rule of Law, Security, and Human Rights of the UNDP; Hon. Michael Leburu, Judge of the High Court of Botswana (Partly Hidden); Hon. Vera Nkwate Ngassa, Justice of the Supreme Court of Cameroon; Hon. Hassan B. Jallow, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Gambia; Hon. Natalia Angel Cabo, Justice of the Constitutional Court of Colombia; Hon. Maria Filomena D. Singh, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines; Vikram Raghavan, Lead Counsel of the Environmental and International Law Practice Group of the World Bank. Not in the photo but participated online in the Session were Hon. Sapana Pradhan Malla, Justice of the Supreme Court of Nepal; and Hon. Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan (Courtesy of the Office of Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh)
Justice Singh also spoke in Session 9 of the Conference on “Law, Justice, and Development: Judges’ Perspectives,” where she reflected on the role of the Judiciary in addressing sustainable development challenges and the impact of climate change in developing countries.
During the Session, Justice Singh showcased the establishment of the first Green Justice Zone in the Philippines in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. Justice Singh presented the projects of the Justice Sector Coordinating Council under the Puerto Princesa Green Justice Zone, such as: (1) the Revision of the Rules of Procedure in Environmental Cases; (2) the formulation of the Green Book Manual on Enforcement of Environmental Laws and Protection; and (3) the involvement of local communities in awareness campaigns, as well as the monitoring and reporting of environmental offenses.
Justice Singh underscored that for environmental initiatives to take root, it is imperative for the Justice Sector to break down legal and environmental principles at a level that will be understood by the average lay person. According to Justice Singh, it is important for all stakeholders to understand that the protection and preservation of the environment is an issue that is personally relevant to each of them, and that no effort is too small.
Justice Singh speaking in Session 9 of the World Bank’s LJD Week on Law, Justice, and Development: Judges’ Perspective (Courtesy of the Office of Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh)
After the culmination of the LJD Week, Justice Singh also participated in a high-level meeting organized by Mr. Christopher Stephens, the General Counsel of the World Bank, to discuss issues affecting women in the Judicary, as well as Gender Equality and Gender Engagement.
Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh provides a copy of the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (Courtesy of the Office of Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh)
Upon the invitation of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems based in Arlington Virginia, on November 16, 2023, Justice Singh likewise led a discussion on possible areas for legal and electoral reforms, innovations in access to justice strategies, and opportunities for democratic progress in the Philippines.
Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh leads a discussion with the officials and staff of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (Courtesy of the Office of Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh)
During the discussion, Justice Singh showcased and discussed Rules that the Supreme Court promulgated in relation to election contests. First is the Interim Amendments to the 2010 Rules of Procedure for Municipal Election Contests, which updates and consolidates the existing rules on election contests pending before the lower courts. Second, is the 2023 Amended Rules of Procedure in Contests Involving Elective Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Officials.
Justice Singh remarked that these rules have been issued by the Supreme Court to provide for an expeditious, inexpensive, and a just determination and disposition of election contests.
In closing, Justice Singh re-affirmed the commitment of the Supreme Court in upholding the country’s democratic processes and the Rule of Law. (Courtesy of the Office of Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh)