The Philippine justice system is facing significant challenges, including long delays, vacant courts, and a lack of efficiency. According to experts, the country has one of the longest litigation periods globally, with detained individuals waiting an average of 528 days for their cases to be resolved. Some even spend 15 to 20 years behind bars without a verdict.
Vacancies in the court system are another major concern, with 308 out of 2,692 authorized courts listed as vacant as of September 2021. An additional 143 courts are unorganized, while 120 judges have retired, resulting in 21% of courts in the country being unoccupied. This shortage of judges and courts leads to further delays in the delivery of justice.
To address these issues, the Philippine Supreme Court has implemented various reforms over the years. One such initiative is the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI), launched in 2020. The SPJI aims to modernize and improve the efficiency of the justice system.
As part of these efforts, Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo has announced that the Supreme Court is exploring the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance court processes. One specific area they are looking into is transcribing court proceedings using AI-enabled voice-to-text transcription technology. However, before implementing this technology, the machines must be trained to recognize the different languages, dialects, and accents prevalent in the Philippines.
Gesmundo emphasizes that court stenographers will not lose their jobs but will instead receive training to utilize the AI technology. The goal is to make the stenographers more efficient and reliable in their work.
In addition to AI implementation, the Supreme Court plans to improve communication with the public through social media platforms. They intend to use user-friendly language, including English, Filipino, and local languages, to explain legal processes, such as posting bail and paying filing fees. The court also aims to deploy AI-enabled platforms for self-help and public assistance services in the future.
The SPJI has already made significant progress, according to Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen. Various projects have been completed, bringing positive changes to the justice system.
Despite the efforts being made, there is still much work to be done. The Supreme Court acknowledges that the SPJI is a five-year plan, and they are only in the second year. However, the utilization of AI technology, improved communication strategies, and other reforms are steps in the right direction to address the challenges faced by the Philippine justice system.
In conclusion, the Philippine justice system is grappling with long delays, vacant courts, and a lack of efficiency. However, the Supreme Court’s initiatives, such as the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations and the potential use of AI, offer hope for improving the system and delivering justice more effectively. With ongoing reforms and continued dedication, the Philippines can work towards a more efficient and responsive judicial system.
