US embassy to help SC strengthen judicial board

MANILA, Philippines — Officials of the United States embassy have pledged to help the Supreme Court (SC) strengthen its Judicial Integrity Board (JIB).

The US embassy’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs country director Kelia Cummins and INL legal specialist Chudney Ngo yesterday made a virtual courtesy call on Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta.

During their meeting, Peralta updated the embassy officials on his 10-point program that includes the reinvigoration of the JIB that aims to strengthen the integrity and prevent corruption in the judiciary.

Also discussed were measures to be taken to improve the conduct of videoconferencing during this time of COVID-19 and other projects of the Court.

The SC said the US officials are committed to help the judiciary in providing resource persons in its training seminars and workshops for judges, as well as technology support in judicial reform projects.

Present at the virtual meeting were SC Associate Justice Alexander Gesmundo and Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez.