MANILA, Philippines ? The city government of Marikina Wednesday started its electronic court (e-court) project to facilitate and enhance court transactions and services.

Mayor Marides Fernando said the program would reduce the delays in court proceedings and transactions, benefiting both the public and the city government ?s employees.

The project was initiated by Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. through a P5 million allocation from the Priority Development Assistance Fund.

The allotment covers the computerization of eight regional courts and two municipal trial courts in the city.
It would also help set up a court database to allow better connectivity in the judiciary ?s administrative processes.

The project aims to connect local courts to the Supreme Court so both sides can effectively monitor decisions, memoranda and caseloads, Fernando added.

It would also pay for a closed-circuit video room that allows a child witness to testify outside the courtroom.

Lawyer Aquilino ?Koko ? Pimentel III, a son of the senator who attended the project launch, said computerization would play a major role in reducing delays in court proceedings.

He expressed hopes that it would soon evolve into the paperless filing of pleadings and sharing of court information.

Apart from providing a database, the e-court project also calls for the installation of a computer-aided transcription machine that allows transcripts of stenographic notes to be printed and distributed right after a hearing.