The Philippines has secured a 16.5 million euro grant, or about P1 billion, from the European Union (EU) for a program that aims to protect Filipinos’ rights to a responsive justice system as the key to achieving economic security and prosperity, the Department of Finance (DOF) said.
In a statement on Wednesday, the department said the Philippines and the Eu signed the grant agreement for the Enabling Justice and Rule of Law in the Philippines of the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC) on Nov. 22, 2024, but the ceremonial exchange of documents happened at the DOF office in Manila only yesterday, February 19.
Such grant agreements are financing instruments given by development partners with no repayment obligations.
“This agreement is of great importance to us because we recognize that economic progress and the rule of law must go hand in hand,” Recto said during the event.
Enabling justice and the rule of law contributes to the country’s socio-economic development by creating a more effective, inclusive and accountable justice system.
Recto stressed there could be no real economic growth without trust in the law, since people could not confidently participate in the economy, pursue better opportunities and build a future defined by dignity if order was not upheld.
“And without progress, our people cannot reach their full economic potential, keeping them in the grip of poverty. Ultimately, a properly functioning justice system is key to achieving economic security and prosperity,” he added.
In line with the JSCC’s mandate, the program addresses three main areas—justice coordination, access to justice for all, and anti-corruption. The council counts as members the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG),
In particular, it will help improve coordination between the justice institutions, the DILG, the Commission on Human Rights, and civil society organizations.
Part of the initiative is expanding and standardizing the Justice Zone model to address substantive issues at the local level.
Justice Zones are areas where the local justice sector participants (i.e. police, public attorneys, and judges) collaborate to identify and solve day-to-day problems.
More importantly, the DOF said the program improves legal aid services for marginalized groups by strengthening the capacities of local justice sector players to address the unique challenges faced by women and vulnerable communities.
Improving access to justice also includes strengthening the role of local government units as the first entry point for individuals seeking justice and increasing people’s awareness of legal rights and remedies available to them.
To combat corruption, the program will realign the legal public procurement framework with international best practices, strengthen the capacities of public expenditure oversight bodies; and enhance the training of civil servants in public procurement to promote transparency and good governance.
Meanwhile, the DOF said EU Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Santoro reaffirmed the Union’s support for the Philippines’ key development priorities.
“The EU supports the Philippines on issues that Philippine authorities deem key to the country’s sustainable development. At the same time, these issues are in line with the EU’s values on global objectives, which are at the core of our engagement with external partners. We are talking here about governance, rule of law, human rights, and values, which we fully share with the Philippines,” Santoro said.
