IBP supports creation of addt’l courts, hazard pay for public prosecutors

MANILA, Philippines — The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) has expressed support for various House bills that seek to create additional trial courts and grant public prosecutors hazard pay.

According to IBP president Domingo Egon Cayosa, the creation of additional courts will help in the “Justice Bilis” (fast justice) campaign of the organization.

The IBP said Cayosa expressed his sentiments on the matter during the hearing of the House committee on justice on Wednesday.

“He (Cayosa) pointed out that despite improvements in the justice sector meant to expedite the resolution of cases, it still takes a lot more time to finish cases in the Philippines compared to other jurisdictions,” the IBP said in a statement on Thursday.

“One of the consistent reasons for justice delayed is that there are far too many citizens per trial court in our country and there are chronic vacancies in judicial and prosecutorial positions,” it added.

Cayosa also shared with lawmakers the observation of practicing lawyers and IBP chapters that there are delays in the appointment of judges and that it takes too long to operationalize newly-created courts.

He also suggested that Congress should consider the statistics of the Supreme Court on the workload of each trial court so that it can be guided in rationalizing caseloads through the creation or transfer of court salas.

Cayosa likewise expressed support for the proposed hazard pay for public prosecutors under House Bill No. 2719, but suggested that the hazard pay be given on a case to case basis with clear standards and effective process.

He also proposed that this benefit be given to similarly situated judges, those in the Public Attorney’s Office, and other lawyers serving in the justice sector.

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