The Supreme Court takes part in the 3rd Philippines – European Union Subcommittee Meeting on Good Governance, Rule of Law, and Human Rights
November 15, 2023
Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh poses for posterity with the other attendees during the 3rd Philippines – European Union Subcommittee meeting on Good Governance, Rule of Law, and Human Rights held in Brussels, Belgium on October 26, 2023. (Courtesy of the European Union European External Action Service)
The Supreme Court participated in the 3rd Philippines – European Union Subcommittee meeting on Good Governance, Rule of Law, and Human Rights held in Brussels, Belgium on October 26, 2023.
Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh, as the official representative of the Philippine Judiciary, highlighted the numerous efforts that the Supreme Court is undertaking to achieve the goals set out in the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027, particularly in the areas of Efficiency, Innovation, and Access.
Justice Singh stressed that the Supreme Court’s strategy of veering away from the traditional view of the role of judges has enabled the institution to effectively address the various issues and problems facing the Judiciary. Justice Singh shared that among the efforts that has had a positive impact for the court users is the revision of the different rules of procedures, aimed at streamlining the proceedings to achieve greater efficiency and real time delivery of justice services.
Justice Singh also showcased the achievements of the Justice Sector Coordinating Council’s Justice Zones in ensuring the timely delivery of justice in their respective areas of operation. The JSCC Justice Zones have set the standard in promoting the sector approach to address justice issues and problems by engaging not only the Justice Zone stakeholders but, more so, the civil society organizations. With the recent launches of the specialty Justice Zones in Zamboanga City and Tagaytay City, the JSCC hopes to achieve more in the area of climate change and the environment with the impending launch of the first ever Green Zone in Puerto Princesa, Palawan this November 10, 2023. Similarly, Justice Singh bared the collective effort of the JSCC agencies in the preparations for the highly-anticipated Jail Decongestion Summit to be held on December 6-7, 2023.
On anti-corruption efforts, Justice Singh shared that the revision of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability, and the ongoing revisions of the New Code of Judicial Conduct and the Code of Conduct for Court Personnel espouse the Supreme Court’s strong and definitive stance on ethical responsibility.
Justice Singh likewise explained the Supreme Court’s positions on the issues of red-tagging, citing the case of Deduro v. Vinoya, the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, with the case of Calleja v. Executive Secretary, and freedom of opinion and expression, with the case of People v. Soliman.
Justice Singh also emphasized that the Supreme Court has taken an active role in addressing gender inclusivity issues by spearheading gender-related initiatives such as (a) the promulgation of the Guidelines on the Use of Gender-Fair Language in the Judiciary and Gender-Fair Courtroom Etiquette; (b) the conduct of a Legal Feminism study, which surveyed Supreme Court decisions from 2006 to 2021 to determine whether the adjudicative procedure in Philippine courts can be labeled as fair and inclusive; (c) the study on Gender Mobility and Representation in the Philippine Judiciary; and (d) the formulation of the Protocol and Manual for handling of cases involving WICLs incorporating the Nelson Mandela Rules and the Bangkok Rules.
Finally, Justice Singh shared the legal aid efforts of the Supreme Court to help decongest court dockets and the jail facilities and to address the needs of the underserved sectors in the Philippines.
The Philippine delegation to the 3rd Philippines – European Union Subcommittee meeting on Good Governance, Rule of Law, and Human Rights was headed by Philippine Ambassador to the European Union His Excellency Jaime Victor B. Ledda and Assistant Secretary Maria Elena P. Algabre of the Department of Foreign Affairs Office of European Affairs. (Courtesy of the Office of Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh)
Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh attends the 3rd Philippines – European Union Subcommittee meeting on Good Governance, Rule of Law, and Human Rights held in Brussels, Belgium on October 26, 2023. (Courtesy of the Office of Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh)
Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh speaks during the 3rd Philippines – European Union Subcommittee meeting on Good Governance, Rule of Law, and Human Rights held in Brussels, Belgium on October 26, 2023. (Courtesy of the Office of Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh)
Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh poses for posterity with the members of the Philippine delegation at the 3rd Philippines – European Union Subcommittee meeting on Good Governance, Rule of Law, and Human Rights held in Brussels, Belgium on October 26, 2023. Seated, from left: Dangerous Drugs Board Executive Director Ma. Victoria C. Sorne, Department of Social Welfare and Development Assistant Secretary Elaine Fallarcuna, Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh, Department of Justice Undersecretary Jesse Hermogenes Andres; Standing, from left: Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Director Catherine Alpay, Presidential Human Rights Committee Director Tito Marshall R. Fajardo, Philippine Embassy in Brussels Minister Counsellor Susana Mendiola, Department of Trade and Industry Commercial Counsellor Magnolia Misolas-Ashley, Department of Justice Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Hazel Decena-Valdez, and Philippine National Police PBGen. Leo Francisco. (Courtesy of the Office of Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh)
