The Supreme Court and the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade discussed the Philippines-Australia Development Partnership Plan 2024-2029
January 21, 2024
Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh (fourth from right), and Supreme Court representatives meet with members of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia, led by Deputy Head of Mission Dr. Moya Collett, to discuss the Australia-Philippines Development Partnership Plan 2024-2029.
Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh represented the Supreme Court during a meeting with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia to discuss the Philippines-Australia Development Partnership Plan 2024-29, on January 17, 2024. Justice Singh expressed the Supreme Court’s gratitude for the assistance offered by the Australian government and the significant role that the Development Partnership Plan could play in the implementation of upcoming projects.
All parties agreed that the Development Partnership Plan aligns with the Supreme Court’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI), as well as the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028, as these plans seek to improve access to justice, gender equality, and efficiency and stability of the justice sector.
On the point of improving access to justice, the parties discussed the on-going review and strengthening of the Shari’ah Justice System and the possibility of constituting more Shari’ah courts. These developments could significantly improve access to justice for litigants in Shari’ah cases. Justice Singh also emphasized the Supreme Court’s commitment to gender equality through the Committee on Gender Responsiveness in the Judiciary. Specifically, Justice Singh discussed the ongoing developments in the writing of the Manual and Protocol for Handling Women in Conflict with the Law, and the revision of the Handbook on Decision Writing, adding a Chapter on Using a Feminist Lens.
Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh (left most) discusses the projects under the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 with Deputy Head of Mission from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia, Dr. Moya Collett (right most).
The Development Partnership Plan also seeks to aid the Philippines in addressing transnational crimes, specifically the war on terror. On this point, Justice Singh expounded on the success of Justice Zones throughout the country especially in targeting issues brought about by transnational crimes, such as human trafficking. The attendees further discussed the plans to establish more Specialty Justice Zones to address emerging challenges like the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children. Justice Singh referenced the sector training program of the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC) which focuses on all sector actors (judges, prosecutors, the Public Attorney’s Office, lawyers, and correction officers), lining up trainings on the implementation and enforcement of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 and the recently released Implementing Rules of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The Development Partnership Plan also looks at the area of disaster and climate resilience in local communities. Justice Singh said on this matter that the government must make efforts to raise the community consciousness in a manner that is relatable and relevant to the everyday lives of Filipinos. Most recently, the JSCC established its first Green Zone Justice Zone in Puerto Princesa, putting particular importance on addressing the issue of wild-life trafficking and protected areas encroachments.
Overall, Justice Singh emphasized that for the current administration’s objectives of economic growth and prosperity, a reliable and efficient justice system is critical. The SPJI and the PDP Chapter 13.2 activities are targeted to ensure this.
As the meeting closed, the attendees agreed that the projects of the Supreme Court directly align with the objectives and focus areas of the Philippines-Australia Development Partnership Plan 2024-2029. All parties expressed their excitement over the collaboration between the Supreme Court and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia, to achieve milestone developments for the country over the next five years.