ZERO BACKLOG IN COURTS NEARING REALITY, SAYS CHIZ

The Senate is heading towards a milestone in achieving zero backlog in the creation of courts that would address complaints of a snail-paced justice system which is embodied in the phrase "justice delayed is justice denied," Sen. Chiz Escudero said.

Escudero said the delivery of justice among courts has vastly improved after the Senate passed or is processing measures for the creation of 304 different courts throughout the country.

He said 89 new courts were created by law while bills for 215 new courts were approved on 3rd reading.

Escudero said total courts including those already created and with pending bills are 211 RTCs, 11 Municipal Trial Courts in Cities (MTCCs); one Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (MCTCs); and 71 Metropolitan Trial Courts (MTCs) under the current Senate session.

Escudero authored or sponsored bills for the creation of one regional trial court (RTC) in Region I; two RTCs in Region II; 25 RTCs in Region III; 80 RTCs and 10 municipal trial courts (MTCs) in Region IV; 10 RTCs, 71 Metropolitan Trial Courts (MeTCs) plus the conversion of seven RTCs of Pasig to Taguig; one Municipal Circuit Trial Court and 10 RTCs in Region VI;

Thirty-one RTCs and eight Municipal Trial Courts in Cities (MTCCs) in Region VII; three RTCs in Region VIII; six RTCs in Region IX; six RTCs and two MTCCs in Region X; 27 RTCs in Region XI and three RTCs in Region XII.

Escudero, chair of the Senate committee on Justice and Human Rights, said more courts in the countryside means less of "justice delayed, justice denied."

"This is the first time that the Senate has approved this many new courts," he added. Escudero called on lawyers to consider filling up the new positions created in government service through the new courts.

"All lawyers, both new and those who have long practiced the profession should not hesitate to apply for positions in the local courts. I call on lawyers to advance their careers in the judiciary and apply for the position of judges," Escudero said.

The Constitution requires three names to be submitted for each vacant court positions. One of the three names shall be appointed by the President.

"Sometimes we cannot get three applicants for one branch of court that we create in some parts of the country," Escudero said. He added that a pending bill in the Senate seeks to provide additional benefits and allowances for judges.