The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) on Wednesday, Feb. 11, expressed its support to various congressional bills that would create new trial courts and provide hazard pay for government prosecutors.
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
“One of the consistent reasons for justice delayed is that there are far too many citizens per trial court in our country and there are chronic vacancies in judicial and prosecutorial positions,” the IBP said in a statement.
The IBP noted that its President Domingo Egon Q. Cayosa already conveyed his support for the legislative measures during the House of Representatives’ justice committee hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
“Atty. Cayosa noted that the creation of additional courts helps in the Justice Bilis (fast) campaign of the IBP,” it said.
“He (Cayosa) pointed out that despite improvements in the justice sector meant to expedite the resolution of cases, it still takes a lot more time to finish cases in the Philippines compared to other jurisdictions,” it added.
While the IBP also supports the provision of hazard pay to government prosecutors, Cayosa also told lawmakers that this “be given on a case to case basis with clear standards and efficacious processes to make the benefit a fitting recognition of the greater and real risks faced by a dedicated public prosecutor and to allow reasonable classification.”
“Cayosa proposed that hazard pay be also given to similarly situated judges, PAO (Public Attorneys Office) lawyers, and other lawyers serving the justice sector,” the IBP said.