Tulfo takes oath, pushes modernization of courts

MANILA, Philippines — Senator-elect Raffy Tulfo is pushing for modernizing the courts to conduct more online hearings to help decongest dockets and speed up trials.

Tulfo took his oath yesterday before Supreme Court (SC) Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen.

He was accompanied by his wife, ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Jocelyn Tulfo.

“I am open to working with the SC on how to increase the efficiency of its work processes through digitization, computerization and faster communication, while still maintaining proper administration of justice,” Tulfo said in a statement.

He said court modernization is “necessary and urgent so that the innocent and the reformable detainees can be released sooner rather than later by the tens of thousands.”

Tulfo said he was aware that a computerization process has been underway in the judiciary.

To support the effort, he said there is a need to invest in more facilities in courts and in jails nationwide.

Tulfo said every detention facility should have a venue for online court hearings.

He added there should be more courts on wheels, which are buses configured for the conduct of remote hearings.