Press Release
May 12, 2008

KIKO LAUDS JELACC MOA SIGNING
"This is a step in the right direction for modernizing the judiciary and strengthening the rule of law!"

Senate Majority Leader and Independent senator Kiko Pangilinan today lauded the scheduled signing tomorrow of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the creation of a Joint Judiciary Executive Legislative Advisory and Consultative Council (JELACC) which will strengthen the judiciary and push for its modernization through greater budgetary support.

JELACC is the brainchild of Senator Kiko, as first proposed during the Summit on Extra-judicial Killings and Involuntary Disappearances in July 2007. It is the only government entity that provides for the participation and interaction of the 3 highest officials of the 3 branches of government.

"We have worked hard to push for the realization of JELACC given the huge challenges facing the judiciary today. We are happy to see it finally moving, with the signing of the MOA tomorrow. If we think about it, the three co-equal branches of government are not so equal at all as the Judiciary depends on the Legislative and the Executive for the approval of its budget allocation and the appointment of justices, judges and other officials of the Judicial branch are subject to Malacanang's consent. JELACC will be a logical forum for the Judiciary to air its needs and requirements, thereby allowing the Executive and Legislative see the broader picture."

Kiko is also pushing to raise the judiciary's share in the budget pie, because "as a co-equal branch, it definitely deserves more than .8 percent of the entire national budget." At P8.4 billion, the 2008 budget of the entire Judiciary is just about the same as the budget of the Department of Justice (DoJ).

"The JELACC will explore the necessary budgetary support for filling the vacancy in our courts, the creation of more courts, and the promotion of a strategic response to strengthening the rule of law. I am aware that there may be issues raised about the independence of the Judiciary vis-?vis the other branches of government if it participates in the said advisory council. But the ad hoc nature of the council, whose purpose is to meet a short-term need, may be a valid and justifiable ground for the creation of the council. I would liken the participation of the Judiciary in the advisory council to its participation in congressional budget hearings wherein the Judiciary's independence is neither compromised nor diminished," Kiko asserted.

"Finally, we have seen in recent years how the Judiciary has been at the receiving end of the wanton disregard of the rule of law as seen by the killing of judges and shooting, the assassination of persons and or the taking of hostages right before the salas of our judges. It is time to pull the bull by its horns and come together to ensure long term reforms for our system of justice," Kiko ended.

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