Press Release
August 12, 2014

Pimentel asks Malacañang to fill up vacant slots in judiciary

Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III today said there is an urgent need to fill up long-vacant positions in the judiciary to resolve docket congestion that poses the greatest obstacle to the speedy dispensation of justice.

Pimentel, the chairman of the Committee on Justice and Human and Rights, urged Malacañang to act on the appointment of prosecutors and judges "because the cause of justice is being affected by undue delay in their appointments."

The slow pace could be attributed to government's failure to appoint new members of the court, especially prosecutors, Pimentel said. He proposed to "have prosecutors for court appearances and prosecutors for preliminary investigation."

The prosecutors, Pimentel added, "are overworked because of their dual functions of appearing in court for prosecution of cases and of resolving cases undergoing preliminary investigation."

Many judges, on the other hand, are swamped with cases resulting in heavily clogged court dockets and contributing to delay in litigation.

Pimentel also cited corruption and bribery in the judiciary as "an obstacle to the delivery of justice."

He added: "Regrettably, it is generally believed that justice can be bought. If that tragic perception remains un-rebutted, then justice, which is an indispensable pillar of our democratic way of life, and upon which rights and liberties of our people depend for their efficacy, would lose its value and vitality."

He said there is a clamor for speedier dispensation of justice. "Speed in the resolution or decision of cases is necessary to the effectiveness of the justice system."

Pimentel said Senate Bill No. 2138, already approved on final reading which he co-authored with Senate President Franklin Drilon and Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, seeks amendments to the Sandiganbayan Law to insure the speedy disposition of corruption cases against erring government officials and employees.

The bill calls for the reduction in the quorum requirement from three to two justices for sessions to proceed in a division, introduction of a justice-designate to hear and receive evidence on "ready cases" as well as resolve all incidents arising from said cases, and changing the rule from unanimity to plurality in rendering judgment.

He also wanted to transfer "minor" cases to the Regional Trial Courts to allow the Sandiganbayan to concentrate its resources on resolving the most significant graft cases filed against public officials.

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