The Supreme Court (SC) is working to fasten the case proceedings through technology as part of its Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI), Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo said on Tuesday, Oct. 25.
In an interview during DZRH’s Dos Por Dos, Gesmundo said they are adapting several technological advancements to efficiently fulfill their public service works.
“Ngayon, kapag natupad na ang paggamit ng teknolohiya, mas papabilis ang pagmo-monitor ng cases. Kunware pagpasok ng mga huwes [judge] sa umaga, kapag kabukas niya ng computer niya, meron na tinawag na red flag na ito yung mga kaso na dapat mong asikasuhin sa araw na ito at dapat mo i-resolve. Ayan ang advantage ng technology,” he said.
“Mapapabalis ang proseso sa pagmo-monitor ng kaso,” he added.
Technology would also help the judiciary with its jail decongestion program for it would track the data of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) such as their case information, date of trials, and date of release.
Gesmundo shared that courts are now using video conferencing as means to conduct case proceedings.
“Ang video conferencing ay hindi lang during the pandemic. Ito ay magiging normal nang proseso sa mga hukuman. Kapag may information communication technology infrastucture na, mas bibilis, simple ang proseso. Hindi na magkakaroon ng maraming balakid sa mga proseso,” he said.
According to Justice Jose Midas Marquez, 1,139,720 video conferencing hearings were conducted nationwide as of Oct. 13.
“Nagkaroon tayo ng success rate ng 89.27 percent. So bawat video conference hearing, talagang natutuloy ‘no,” he said.
Marquez said a total of 132,916 PDLs have been released, so far. Of which, 2,120 children in conflict with the law were released.
Gesmundo said judges were likewise mandated to utilize digital technology.
“Ngayong nagsesesyon kami, iPad na ang hawak namin. May email na rin kaming ginagamit kung saan kami nagpapalitan ng kuro-kuro. Parang mas bumilis pa ang proseso,” he added.
The Chief Justice emphasized that it is essential that courts adapt to new technology.
“Kinakailangan ang ating mga hukuman ay makabago, makaangat at makasabay sa pagbabago ng teknolohiya. Gusto rin naming mailapit ang hukuman sa taumbayan,” he said.
