MANILA, Philippines—The Supreme Court launched Wednesday the Case Management Information System (CMIS) project as part of the high tribunal’s “zero backlog program.”

The system will address the judiciary's problem of clogged dockets and case delays, Chief Justice Reynato Puno said.

"We have our zero backlog program; we continue to review, revise and simplify the Rules of Court; we have established special courts, etc.,” he said.

Puno said the congested docket and delay in the disposition of cases have a multiplier effect because they increase litigation cost, diminish the actual value of judgments and undermine the quality of justice.

The CMIS will provide justices, court personnel, lawyers and litigants a calendar of activities per case, overall picture of caseloads, case status and overall case management performance. It also allows the quick retrieval of information pertaining to pending cases.

“Nevertheless, all these efforts have but pinprick effects as the caseloads of our courts continue to burgeon and their backlog remains," Puno said.

Also present during the launch were US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, Court of Appeals Presiding Justice Conrado Vasquez Jr., Court of Tax Appeals Presiding Justice Ernesto Acosta, Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Diosdado Peralta and other court officials.

The project is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).