FROM 102ND IN 2021

Philippines climbs to 97th spot in WJP rule of law index 2022

From 102nd place in 2021, the Philippines climbed to 97th place this year out of 140 countries in complying with rule of law based on the World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index 2022.

The report, released on Wednesday, showed that the Philippines scored 0.47 in overall index, which is higher compared to its 0.46 record in 2021.

According to the WJP, the countries were assessed based on their adherence to rule of law from 0.00 as the weakest to 1.00 as the strongest.

Eight factors were used in the assessment, including constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, open government, fundamental rights, order and security, regulatory enforcement, civil justice, and criminal justice.

The Philippines placed at the following ranks for each factors:

• 118th for fundamental rights with 0.40 score
• 117th for criminal justice with 0.32
• 104th for civil justice with 0.45

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• 101st for order and security with 0.66
• 88th for constraints on government powers with 0.48
• 82nd for regulatory enforcement with  0.48
• 78th for absence of corruption with  0.44
• 71st for open government with 0.50

In a statement, the Philippine National Police (PNP) welcomed the Philippines' improved ranking in the global rule of law index.

"I sincerely thanked all Police Officers and other stakeholders who have worked diligently to achieve this milestone for our country, and urged everyone to continually perform their sworn duties with dedication and commitment," PNP chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said.

Venezuela ranked the lowest in the overall rule of law index at 140th place with 0.26 score, followed by Cambodia with 0.31, Afghanistan with 0.33, Congo with 0.34, and Haiti with 0.35.

Denmark, meanwhile, took the top spot in the overall rule of law index with 0.90 score, followed by Norway with 0.89, Finland with 0.87, Sweden with 0.86, and the Netherlands with 0.83.

The WJP said the rule of law has declined in most countries for the fifth year in a row. The rule of law in 61% of the countries declined and only 39% improved. —KBK, GMA News