Arthur Fuentes

The Supreme Court building in Manila in this photo taken oon February 5, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Agatha Gregorio

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Speaking on behalf of the Judiciary, Supreme Court Administrator Ma. Theresa Gomez-Estoesta vowed the courts will fast-track cases involving large-scale corruption.This was after Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno commented on the supposed “big clamor” for accountability and flood control project anomalies.“I think we all can see that galit na galit na rin ang sambayanang Pilipino doon sa mga nangyayaring anomalya pagdating sa flood control and other infrastructure projects. We have the legislative branch conducting investigations. We have the executive branch creating an independent commission. Don’t you think it’s time that the judiciary also get involved in showing the people that we are all concerned about anti-corruption and we want to make sure that there will be accountability?” Diokno asked.“While the Judiciary can show its concern, it has to maintain its public trust and confidence by adjudicating what is just. It’s an independent authority that each justice will have because that’s the core value of an ethical judge– to be independent,” Gomez-Estoesta said in response.<div>LAWMAKERS QUESTION JUDICIARY OVER ‘AGING’ OF PENDING CASES</div>Diokno meanwhile pointed out several criminal and civil cases are still pending before the Sandiganbayan after 20 years. He asked what the Judiciary is doing to address “aging” of pending cases. According to Gomez-Estoesta, the Judiciary, through the SC, is addressing such backlogs by expediting procedural rules. The removal of the filing of prohibited motions was also mentioned.“Since most of the adjudication process is really the authority of the courts, themselves, the judiciary through the honorable Supreme Court will address these backlogs by expediting our own procedural rules. We have developed through time the guidelines on continuous trial in criminal cases, which had the direct effect in the trial of criminal cases because it has removed the filing of what we now call the prohibited motions,” Gomez-Estoesta said.“So the continuous guidelines on criminal cases would now render them as prohibited. So it really fast-track how we try cases before it reaches arraignment and trial,” Gomez-Estoesta added.<div>SOLONS WANT MONITORING SYSTEM TO CHECK IF SENTENCES SERVED</div>House Committee on Appropriations Vice Chairperson Rufus Rodriguez believes there should be a monitoring system to check if sentences are being served.Gomez-Estoesta called this a “relevant concern,” adding there is a need for streamlined procedure and monitoring.The court administrator also emphasized the role of the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC) for cooperation among the justice sector’s agencies. The Judiciary is asking for an additional P25.33 billion, its amount for reconsideration, in its 2026 budget. The amount allocated for the Judiciary under the National Expenditure Program (NEP) is at P67.945 billion.According to Gomez-Estoesta, the initially proposed Judiciary budget for 2026 was at P105.76 billion, but was reduced in the NEP.Gomez-Estoesta also later said they have taken note of how an additional P50 million for sign language interpreters in courts may be needed in their request for reconsideration.After Diokno asked if they are reviewing rulings so ordinary citizens can access Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net worth (SALN), Gomez-Estoesta said they can take the concern into consideration so they could evaluate the process of SALN release.“It is true that in so far as the members of the judiciary are concerned, it is only through the Supreme Court that approves any requests for release of the SALN. But we can take it into consideration, your honor, so that we can restudy, reevaluate the process,” Gomez-Estoesta replied.

The High Tribunal said courts will fast-track cases of large-scale corruption amid the “big clamor” for accountability and flood control project anomalies.

The High Tribunal said courts will fast-track cases of large-scale corruption amid the “big clamor” for accountability and flood control project anomalies.

Judiciary says to fast-track cases on large-scale corruption amid flood control issue

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Judiciary says to fast-track cases on large-scale corruption amid flood control issue

Agatha Gregorio,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 16, 2025 08:55 PM PHT

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Judiciary

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