JBC interview: Justice de Castro vows to enhance SC integrity

Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo de Castro

MANILA, Philippines—While the court is already doing measures for speedy disposition of cases, Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo de Castro said the Judiciary needs to do more.

During her interview with the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), De Castro said “improving case adjudication should be a main priority. Congestion in dockets is already a problem in the ’70s.”

“I am committed to pursue reforms in the judiciary including access to justice, enhancing institutional integrity,” she added.

De Castro is the third most senior associate justice of the Supreme Court. She was automatically nominated for the Chief Justice position.

In 2010, she was shortlisted as candidate to replace Reynato Puno who retired as Chief Justice but Renato Corona was chosen by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Some of her proposals include face-to-face discussion with judges, court officials on ground that will contribute in helping solve problems in the judiciary.

“The court administrator should spend time on the ground to know the problems of the court,” she added.

Clogging dockets, slow dispensation of justice, De Castro said is what caused the Judiciary’s trust and confidence to fall.