Use of technology in the delivery of justice, bared

August 19, 2019 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY — “For us in the Judiciary, evolving jurisprudence, rules of practice and procedure continue to be introduced on a regular basis, with the aim of enhancing the delivery of justice to our people.”

Municipal Trial Court Executive Judge Glenda Ortiz-Soriano made this assertion in Monday’s flag-raising rites at City Hall before local officials, employees and guests led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong and vice-mayor Faustino Olowan.

She said the Supreme Court (SC) has introduced “ v i d e o – c o n f e r e n c i n g technology or remote appearance and testimony of certain persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in jails and national penitentiary”under A.M. No. 19-05-05-SC that would allow high risk inmates or those who may be seriously ill and debilitated to appear in court proceedings despite their incarceration.

“This will allow them to be part of the proceedings albeit remotely, simulating as best as technology can, their actual presence in court,” Ortiz-Soriano explained.

She disclosed that the guidelines are already in place and will be pilot-tested in Davao courts of justice and penitentiaries for not more than two years before it can actually be evaluated and rolled out to all courts nationwide.

Ortiz-Soriano said that in compliance with the advancements in technology, it has now become mandatory and with strict compliance, for the e-subpoena to be used in direct police witnesses to attend court proceedings.

The only exception to the mandatory character of the e-subpoena, she added, is when the date of the hearing and issuance of the subpoena is less than 10 days.

The judiciary official said that dismissals of cases brought about by the non-appearance of police witnesses are being reported and monitored both by the SC and the PNP’s Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management.

“This is important particularly for us in the city as we adjudicate violations of city ordinances, in particular, where police officers are the only or usual witnesses. As in all efforts, cooperation between the local government, police force, courts and all the pillars of justice, is essential.

And, without sounding like a millennial, the speed of our internet connection is a vital adjunct to these technological advances that we now implement,” she said.

“Yet, amidst all of these new technology and changes, I pray that we never trade off good values — perseverance, grit and strength of character — for the ease of technology. Instead may we always endeavor to humanize the coldness of technology and continue to build bridges of cooperation and meaningful human relations,” Ortiz-Soriano stressed.

Gaby Keith/ABN