Though 'happy' with approval rating, Peralta more concerned about court reforms —SC spokesman

Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta has welcomed his approval rating based on a recent Pulse Asia survey and expressed his commitment to institute reforms in the judiciary.

Court spokesman Brian Keith Hosaka said Tuesday that Peralta is "happy" with his positive approval rating, despite the public being less aware of him than of other government officials like President Rodrigo Duterte, Vice President Leni Robredo, and the leaders of Congress. 

According to a Pulse Asia survey conducted from September 14 to 20, 44% of the respondents approved of the chief justice

Duterte, Robredo, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, and House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano all registered a 100% awareness rating. 

Hosaka said the public will logically be less aware of Peralta and the other justices and judges because they are appointed officials. 

"More than anything, the Chief Justice is concentrated on providing the necessary reforms in the Judiciary to ensure the public that Justice will be better served. That is the thrust of the Peralta Court," the spokesman said. 

Peralta was appointed chief justice in October last year, following the retirement of then top judge Lucas Bersamin. 

"The Chief Justice is more concerned on the effectiveness of the rules and circulars that were issued and implemented during his 1-year tenure as Chief Justice, which includes those issued during the COVID-19 pandemic in order for the public to have continuous access to our courts," Hosaka said. 

Peralta's pandemic-time directives include the physical closure of all courts during the enhanced community quarantine, the strictest COVID-19 lockdown level imposed by the government, and the transition of hearings and other court procedures to online platforms. 

The Supreme Court also said thousands of detainees awaiting or undergoing trial have been provisionally released in an effort to decongest jails amid the pandemic, though some groups say the tribunal took too long to decide a petition seeking the humanitarian release of inmates with pre-existing medical conditions. —KG, GMA News