Sandiganbayan plans to create a public information division

Sandiganbayan justices led by Presiding Judge Geraldine Econg hold a get-together and interview with members of the media on Friday, July 11, 2025. —INQUIRER.net / FAITH ARGOSINO

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan is proposing to create a public information division with a spokesperson, who will make its decisions and resolutions accessible and understandable to the public.

Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Geraldine Econg said they are working with the appropriate offices of the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice’s office “to make this vision a reality.”

“One of the things that we are thinking of moving forward is the creation of a public information division for the Sandigan Parliament. In order for us to be more, not transparent, but more understandable to the public,” Econg told reporters on Friday.

“As you all know, the decisions, the resolutions that come out of our chambers are lengthy because they involve cases that are complex most of the time. And when cases of this nature are decided upon, it is not very easy to understand or it is not easy reading, so to say,” she explained.

“And I think it is incumbent upon us, to be able to reach out to the public. And so, we are proposing that a public information division be set up in the Sandiganbayan. And I’m sure other appellate courts will follow as well,” she revealed.

Econg also disclosed that other Sandiganbayan justices even suggested creating a summary of the resolutions and decisions released by the divisions of the anti-graft court, as well as the appointment of a spokesperson who will explain the contents of these documents.

“We need a person – a spokesperson – to explain and reach out to the public in order for the public to understand why the decisions of the court are in that way,” she said.

“We all know that when cases are decided, there is, of course, a victor and there are those who lose the case. And those who lost the case will misunderstand our decision. We want decisions to be stripped of their legality and reach out to the masses in a language that they can understand better,” she added.

Aside from the creation of the public information division, Econg also addressed the concerns of press members covering the Sandiganbayan, such as the accessibility of the anti-graft court’s library for decisions and resolutions that are not yet uploaded to the court’s website.

The presiding justice said these concerns will be addressed after the formation of the proposed division for the Sandiganbayan. /apl