Reflection Paper

Ma-yr-zar Martin B. Teruel February 18,2019

Alternative Dispute Resolution is a process whereby 2 parties meet in a certain

fora or forum to be able to settle their dispute. It is a process distinct from court
processes as it is not covered by the rules of court provided by the Supreme Court of
the Philippines and those who preside if there is someone needed to preside would not
need to be a Judge.

When we visited the Philippine Mediation Center of Makati City at the building 1
of the Makati City Hall, 10th floor. We observed how quick mediation resolves a case as
compared to when the parties undergo hearings in court, which can last years and
years before it attains finality only to be appealed to a higher court. We even learned
that some cases are disposed of after 3-4 meetings with the mediator, which to me is a
very efficient way of solving disputes between parties.

Judge Roque was the judge that we observed during the mediation proceedings
and she appeared to be calm and cool in discussing options, asking what is the status
of the case as between the two parties in question. She even lectured to us that
Alternative Dispute Resolution does not really dispose of the case, but only settles the
controversies between the parties and then the compromise agreement that will be
signed at the end of the talks would be presented in court to termintate the case. To me
this practice really helps in declogging our courts and helps also the people in saving
money to pay for their attorneys or court fees. I am very much pleased with the system
set in the Philippine Mediation Center as the culture it engrains in us is that we need not
be adversarial in solving problems and there can be a win-win solution in the end of
every problem.
 If all problems in our society can be solved by way of Alternative Dispute
Resolution I believe it would better our community and it will improve the justice system
in the Philippines as a whole. Lastly, I think there so much more we can do with this
system set in place, I can only hope for a more efficient justice system in the Philippines
as that is what we are all striving for.