EDITORIAL - Judicial reforms

Colleagues of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno began testifying against her yesterday at the House of Representatives, which is deliberating on an impeachment case against the chief magistrate. The process is supposed to hold the head of the judiciary accountable in the performance of her duties.

Besides promoting accountability, the three branches of government should consider working together to improve the administration of justice in general. The inefficiency of the Philippine justice system is a serious hindrance to national development, and one of the biggest disincentives to job-generating investments.

Inadequate resources, corruption and inefficiency contribute to this sorry state of affairs. The inefficiency is partly due to the failure to institutionalize a merit-based system of appointments and promotions in the judiciary and prosecution services. Politicians, religious and other special interest groups want a say in the appointment and promotion system, with qualifications taking a backseat. 

The weakness of the justice system helps fuel insurgencies. It is also one of the reasons for the support in certain quarters for short cuts to law enforcement, including the bloody war against illegal drugs.

Slow adjudication and the failure to bring lawbreakers to justice also fuel impunity. Corruption persists because in the three decades since the collapse of the Marcos dictatorship, no big fish accused of graft has ever been punished. For similar reasons, journalists continue to be executed for critical reporting and commentary. Militants championing issues such as human rights and environmental protection also continue to be murdered or snatched and added to a long list of the disappeared.

Even legal professionals, including prosecutors and judges, are murdered in connection with their work. Thanks to the weakness of the justice system, the perpetrators believe they can get away with their crime. And they often do.

All this should provide impetus for an overhaul of the justice system. If changing the chief justice is meant to promote accountability and reforms, it should be accompanied by efforts to improve the administration of justice.