By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The country’s major justice institutions are tightening coordination and pushing a common reform agenda as the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC) holds its two-day summit at The Manila Hotel on September 21 to 22.
The summit brings together the Supreme Court, Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to advance programs aimed at improving coordination, speeding up information exchange and addressing persistent problems in the justice system.
At the center of the JSCC agenda are 20 Justice Zones nationwide, where justice-sector agencies work together on local problems and coordinate programs affecting the delivery of justice.
One of the major reforms is the National Justice Information System (NJIS), a DOJ-led initiative designed to allow participating justice institutions to share information more efficiently, reduce duplication in data gathering and minimize delays in investigations and court proceedings.
The council is also pursuing reforms aimed at decongesting jails and prisons, building on national decongestion summits and efforts to develop longer-term structural and legislative solutions.
The reform agenda also extends into the courtroom.
The Supreme Court conducted a pilot judicial training program on forensic evidence in July, bringing together judges for intensive sessions covering DNA and trace evidence, digital and cybercrime evidence, forensic accounting, artificial intelligence, procurement fraud and money-laundering evidence.
The JSCC is likewise supporting rehabilitation and reintegration efforts for persons deprived of liberty, including national art exhibitions designed to provide PDLs and former PDLs opportunities to showcase their work.
Behind these initiatives are eight JSCC technical working groups dealing with capacity building, evidence management, information technology, budgeting, legislation, data, communications and Justice Zone performance monitoring.
The council is also developing a dedicated website to consolidate information on its programs, Justice Zones, accomplishments and services of participating agencies.
The initiatives reflect the JSCC’s continuing effort to move the justice sector toward closer institutional coordination, shared information and common strategies—from the courtroom and correctional system to technology, legislation and local justice operations.
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