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MAGISTRATES from the 10 member-states of the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) may not craft specific measures on judicial integration in their third meeting but the ASEAN Chief Justices’ Meeting may enable them to better cooperate and run their respective judiciaries, the spokesperson of the Philippine Supreme Court said.
Supreme Court (SC) Public Information Office Chief Theodore O. Te told reporters on the sidelines of the Boracay meet that the Chief Justices’ Meeting usually tackles judicial cooperation, if not the creation of specific measures to address the call for harmonized commercial law and dispute resolution systems.
“Knowing how each judiciary works across the ASEAN will certainly help. Exchange of information is never wrong,” Mr. Te said. “There are issues that may involve cross-border exchanges, transnational issues. It is better if the CJs understand each other on things that needed to be discussed across countries, if not necessarily for them to follow each other.”
Although the magistrates and members of the law and business sectors have stressed the need for harmonization of commercial law and dispute resolution systems over the past week, Mr. Te noted that there’s only so much the courts can do.
“Courts are limited on what they can do. The Judiciary does not involve [itself in matters of] policy. It just awaits cases,” Mr. Te said.
Still, he said that better or more efficient courts can inspire better investor confidence in the countries.
“What ASEAN wants to do is to make sure everyone is on the same page. Sharing of information, sharing of technology-best practices, of course, removing the independence of each court. They’re very clear that the courts have to be independent, should remain independent,” Mr. Te said.
He also noted the Philippine Judiciary’s attempts at court automation to expedite the resolution of cases and minimize corruption.
Meanwhile, Mr. Te added that Chief Justice Robert J. Torres, Jr. of the Supreme Court of Guam, met with associate justices of the Philippine Supreme Court while Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes P.A. Sereno joined other chief magistrates in the meeting.
“The Chief Justice of Guam can actually trace some of his roots to the Philippines. He’s a good friend of the court. There are issues that Guamanians can share interest with us, so, it’s an opportune moment for him to be available,” Mr. Te said. -- Vince Alvic Alexis F. Nonato.
“Knowing how each judiciary works across the ASEAN will certainly help. Exchange of information is never wrong,” Mr. Te said. “There are issues that may involve cross-border exchanges, transnational issues. It is better if the CJs understand each other on things that needed to be discussed across countries, if not necessarily for them to follow each other.”
Although the magistrates and members of the law and business sectors have stressed the need for harmonization of commercial law and dispute resolution systems over the past week, Mr. Te noted that there’s only so much the courts can do.
“Courts are limited on what they can do. The Judiciary does not involve [itself in matters of] policy. It just awaits cases,” Mr. Te said.
Still, he said that better or more efficient courts can inspire better investor confidence in the countries.
“What ASEAN wants to do is to make sure everyone is on the same page. Sharing of information, sharing of technology-best practices, of course, removing the independence of each court. They’re very clear that the courts have to be independent, should remain independent,” Mr. Te said.
He also noted the Philippine Judiciary’s attempts at court automation to expedite the resolution of cases and minimize corruption.
Meanwhile, Mr. Te added that Chief Justice Robert J. Torres, Jr. of the Supreme Court of Guam, met with associate justices of the Philippine Supreme Court while Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes P.A. Sereno joined other chief magistrates in the meeting.
“The Chief Justice of Guam can actually trace some of his roots to the Philippines. He’s a good friend of the court. There are issues that Guamanians can share interest with us, so, it’s an opportune moment for him to be available,” Mr. Te said. -- Vince Alvic Alexis F. Nonato.
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