PH drop in world ranking on rule of law index? It’s just perception says Palace

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque TOTO LOZANO / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Malacañang said on Saturday that the Philippines’ huge drop in the world ranking on the adherence to the rule of law was a perception not based on reality.

The Philippines dropped significantly in the recent World Justice Project (WJP) 2017-2018 Rule of Law Index, falling 18 places to 88th out of 113 countries.

“Pero sa akin po parang iyan po ay perception na wala namang base sa reyalidad,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing.

(For me, that is a perception not based on reality.)

“Hindi ko po sinasabi na perpekto ang ating criminal justice system. Mahina po talaga, talagang napakatagal ng mga kaso, napakatagal noong panahon na hinihintay ng mga biktima ng paglabag ng karapatang pantao at ng mga krimen para magkaroon ng katarungan,” he added.

(I am not saying that our criminal justice system is perfect. It is really weak, the cases run slow, victims of human rights violations and crimes wait for a long time before they get justice.)

READ: PH sees biggest drop in ranking on rule of law adherence

The ranking, however, “reinforces the fact” that the government need to implement reforms on the criminal justice system, Roque said.

“At ang ating pag-asa naman ngayon ay ang Presidente natin palibhasa dating fiscal at saka nagpakita ng political will, baka naman po maangat iyong kuwalidad ng ating katarungan sa ating bayan,” he added.

(And our hope now is our President because he is a former fiscal and exhibits political will, maybe we can raise the quality of justice in the country.)

“That is something that I think is a reflection of the need to have further reforms in our justice system. But that has been there not just during the administration of the Duterte administration,” he pointed out.

The WJP said the Philippines saw the most significant deterioration in constraints on government powers, fundamental rights, order and security, and criminal justice.

“It’s score places it at 13 out of 15 countries in the East Asia and Pacific region and 17 out of 30 among lower-middle income countries,” the organization said. /jpv