With the decongestion of court dockets being one of her core judicial reform efforts, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno wants Malacañang to finally settle some 300 judicial appointments to help expedite the resolution of cases.

In an interview with GMA News Online, Judicial and Bar Council regular member for the academe Jose Mejia said this was what Sereno seemed to be particularly interested about during her meeting with JBC members. 

 

Sereno is ex-officio chairman of the JBC, the body tasked by the 1987 Constitution to screen and - through a shortlist - vet nominees to the President for vacant posts in the judiciary and the offices of the Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsman.

 

Mejia said Sereno was "receptive to our comments and suggestions," including those about the pending appointments with Malacañang.

 

"[She was receptive to the idea] of her bringing to the attention of Malacañang that there are appointments which have been pending with the Office of the President," Mejia said.

 

Mejia said there are around 300 judicial appointments all in the lower courts that remain unattended to this day by the Palace.

 

Mejia stressed the importance of President Aquino finally handing down the appointments and filling up vacancies in the courts.

 

"With the filling up of vacancies, resolution of cases will be expedited," Mejia said.

Retreat workshop

 

JBC ex-officio member and Sen. Francis Escudero earlier said JBC members were to undergo a retreat and workshop to discuss a possible review of the processes of the JBC among other issues, especially with the new appointment of Sereno as top judge.

 

Apart from Sereno and Mejia, other individuals completing the eight-man council are ex-officio members Justice Secretary Leila de Lima for the executive branch and Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. for the legislative branch; regular members Milagros Fernan-Cayosa, Aurora Santiago-Lagman, and retired Supreme Court associate justice Regino Hermosisima Jr. 

 

Mejia's statement about Sereno's "receptiveness" at the JBC came on the heels of circulating rumors earlier over at the SC that the appointment of Sereno — the first female and second youngest to be appointed as top judge — might have ruffled feathers among her fellow SC magistrates, especially since 11 more senior justices were technically rendered "bypassed" due to her 18-year long tenure.

 

Speculations were further fanned after a number of justices snubbed not only Sereno's oath-taking in Malacañang last August, but as well her first ever flag-raising rites as chief justice at Supreme Court grounds in Manila.

 

Amid these reports, Sereno maintained she wanted to the lead her fellow justices back into the "days of dignified silence" when justices were heard about or read only through their decisions.

 

Sereno has recently delegated Deputy Court Adminsitrator Raul villanueva and Quezon City Judge Filomena Singh as official SC "communicator" and "briefer" on judicial reforms, respectively.

 

In a media briefing last Tuesday, Singh emphasized how Sereno expressed willingness to continue existing judicial programs that aim to expedite the resolution of cases and declog court dockets.

 

"If they're good and working in declogging dockets, then the chief justice will continue it," Singh added.

 

Among these existing projects was the small claims procedure, started during the time of Chief Justice Reynato Puno and mandates 1,164 first-level court to hear and decide in one day civil claims amounting to P100,000 and below, not including interests and costs.

 

Of the 19,463 small claims cases filed in 2011, 15,550 were disposed of for a clearance rate of 79.90 percent. From January to July this year, 7,848 of the 8,809 small claims cases have been decided on for a clearance rate of 89.49 percent, Singh said.

 

Singh also noted the creation of the "Guidelines for Litigation in Quezon City Trial Court," which included among others page limitations for pleadings and memoranda filed by parties, preclusion of postponements except for acts of God or fortuitous events, prohibitions against dilatory motions and non-compliant motions - all aimed at expediting court procedures without sacrificing due process.

 

Singh also highlighted the recently approved guidelines for judicial affidavits, which will be implemented January next year.

The policy aims to cut down by two-thirds the time it takes for witnesses to undergo direct testimony. Presented in a question-and-answer format, judicial affidavits contain a witness's testimony in place of him or her being direct examined. — RSJ, GMA News