US Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney and Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno yesterday led senior officials of the Philippine judiciary and other US representatives in launching an information system that will help the courts improve efficiency in handling cases during ceremonies at the Supreme Court in Ermita, Manila.
The result of a partnership between the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Supreme Court, the Case Management Information System (CMIS) is an automated system that will allow the courts and their officials to closely and effectively monitor and manage cases pending in their dockets.
The system aims to strengthen the judiciary’s management information system processes and capacities by ensuring accurate, up-to-date, and adequate information useful in court management and oversight monitoring, policy and planning, and evaluation.
Ambassador Kenney also turned over 50 computers and related equipment such as scanners, computer-aided transcription machines, and servers as part of the CMIS program.
"The CMIS is a tool that, on its own, will not solve the problem of docket congestion and case delay, but it is a good tool that, if maintained, will certainly provide greater efficiency to the judiciary’s management information system," the US envoy said. "This is a great example of US and Philippine partnership, but there must be a strong commitment from the court leadership to ensure the success of computerization."
In line with the judiciary’s ongoing program of easy access to justice, the CMIS will also promote greater public transparency and accountability because the system allows for regular updating of information on the caseloads and litigation performance of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, the Court of Tax Appeals, and the Sandiganbayan.
Total US grant for the development of the CMIS for the four courts amounted to more than 0,000, covering the cost of developing the software, building the information structure, computer equipment, technical assistance, and training for the justices and court personnel.
The CMIS is one of the many reform programs of the judiciary sponsored by the US government, the largest grant donor to the Philippine Supreme Court.
Since 2001, the US has provided some million for a variety of training programs and equipment that seek to enhance judicial efficiency, strengthen judicial capacity, improve access to justice, and promote greater transparency and accountability.
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