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 he Philippine justice system is
getting noticed abroad as a model of judicial reform. Justice
Hilario G. Davide, Jr.,
who became chief justice of the Supreme Court in November 1998, managed
to turn-around this ailing branch of government
during his seven year tenure. Most Filipinos may not be aware of the
changes, but numerous international organizations and foreign
governments have already taken notice.
The Asian Development Bank, Asia
Foundation, United Nations Development Program, Australian Agency for
International Development, American
Bar Association-Asia Law Initiative and British Council have been impressed
with our judicial improvements enough to shoulder the expenses of the
three-day International Conference on Judicial Reforms, currently being
held in Metro Manila. Delegates in attendance include several chief
justices and their deputies from 45 countries, such as: Russia, Japan,
China, Canada, Australia, Malaysia and Pakistan.
As chief justice, Davide dismissed 47
judges, one justice, and disbarred a significant number of lawyers. But
in a country where the common perception is that most judges are still
on the "take," those moves are seen as tentative, though positive steps
in the right direction.
It was Joseph Estrada who appointed
Davide as the country's 20th Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme
Court, so there was concern as to his impartiality should Estrada's
plunder case get to the high court. Davide's upcoming retirement
however, passes that challenging task on to a new chief justice.
Filipinos living abroad who plan on
someday retiring back home, see corruption and the inability to seek
justice from the courts as one of their gravest concerns. Thus, any
steps taken to put honesty and integrity back into Philippine courts is
seen by Filipino expatriates as a most welcome development. For this we
salute Justice Davide and say "job well done Mr. Chief Justice."
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