From insufficient courts to overcrowded prisons, the Philippines’

judiciary and criminal justice system is under enormous pressure. As a

result, significant reforms are needed to spur further economic
development.

The strengthening of law enforcement efforts is deemed to depend

on improved police officer training and professionalization of their status
as well as on the incorporation of advanced technology in crime detection,
traffic control, forensic sciences, and criminal investigation. Police
training has been extended to the Barangay officials at the village level.
The crucial problem of the courts is seen as that of overburdened
caseloads. Traditional practices of justice are retained in that special
courts operated by minorities (e.g., Muslims, Igorots) had jurisdiction
over their members and court proceedings follow ethnic customs.

Use of minority courts contributes to the elimination of court delays

and backlogs. The prompt disposition of cases is seen as a priority
objective of justice delivery. In the area of corrections, new facilities are
being built that will meet inmates' needs for privacy and dignity as well
as the requirements of innovative new programs. Inmates' religious
training is being emphasized in some programs and the Philippines boasts
of an open institution. Community effort is currently directed toward the
provision of improved housing, education, health, and religious and
recreational services through government programs for the poor.
Moreover, community-based and community-oriented criminal justice
programs are being planned.

But what are the real problem in Philippine Judicial and Justice
System. There are a lot. First is the court cases take years to be resolved.
For example, the Sandigan bayan, which is a constitutional court for
public officials, takes an average of 15 years to judge a case. These delays
have led to acquittals of corrupt public officials. Moreover, Many
Filipinos are too poor to access justice. As a result, the poor do not file
cases knowing they are unable to afford a lawyer and it will take years for
their case to get resolved.
Adding to that, the prisoners’ rights continue to be disrespected and
ignored. According to Carlos Conde, a human rights watch researcher,
“Corrupt and incompetent investigators and prosecutors, a judicial and
court system clogged with too many cases, and too few judges to try them.
These institutional pathologies result in unjust and prolonged
detention.” Also, Inability to post bail adds thousands of pre-trial
detainees to the prison system. The struggling judicial system contributes
heavily to the overcrowding. Many do not have the money to post bail.
Some of the most common crimes like drug possession do not allow for
bail.
Increasing funds for the justice and criminal system is the key to
accelerating reforms. Given the acute lack of funds, prisons have become
a haven for illegal activities, especially the proliferation of drugs.
Republic Act 10575 or the Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013 was
enacted to deal with the issues of congestion, inadequate facilities, lack of
resources and low staff morale which led to illegal activities in the prison
system thriving. The law also authorises construction of more detention
facilities to decongest the prisons. However, the law remains
unimplemented.
On the other hand, the Philippine Government is trying to improve
its judicial and justice system. Through the automation of the courts,
technology can definitely speed up cases and trials but this means internet
speed also needs to catch up in the Philippines before it can be fully
harnessed. A functioning justice system is necessary for the Philippines
to sustain its strong economic growth

Thus, The maxim “justice delayed is justice denied”, often attributed

to British Prime Minister William Gladstone, has been around for
centuries but it accurately summarises the current state of the judiciary
system. There are ongoing initiatives but for the Philippines to achieve
sustainable economic growth, the government needs more resources
channelled towards the justice and correctional system.