Leni-Kiko tandem vows to reform, modernize justice system

The tandem of presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo and her running-mate Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan are committing to modernize the country’s justice system.

During a press conference in Sorsogon, Pangilinan said he and Robredo have “steps” to “reform and modernize our judiciary and our system of justice.”

“Unang una (First of all), we must reduce the shelf life ng mga kaso (of cases),” said the vice-presidential aspirant.

Pangilinan lamented the years-long process of trials in the country, averaging six years per case, stressing that only the wealthy are benefitting from it since the poor cannot afford the lawyers who will represent them for many years.

“Pangalawa, iangat ang conviction rate. Sa Japan, 90% ng kaso conviction. Sa Hong Kong, 80% ang conviction sa mga criminal case. Dito satin, 30% napakababa. Dapat itaas ‘yan,” he said.

(Second, we have to raise the conviction rate. In Japan, the conviction rate is 90%. In Hong Kong, it’s 80%. But here in our country, it's only 30%. We should raise this.)

To increase the conviction rate and strengthen the justice system, the senator is proposing to further raise the benefits of judges and prosecutors to boost their morale and work honestly.

“Kapag hindi nagtrabaho nang maayos meron na tayong moral ascendancy bilang gobyerno na tanggalin sila,” Pangilinan said.

(If they’re not competent, the government has the moral ascendancy to remove them.)

— DVM, GMA News