Aspiring president Senator Manny Pacquiao believes that justice reform is needed to address the slow justice system in the country.
During the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) election forum on Friday, March 25, Pacquiao said that proper reform be done by increasing the budget for the judiciary.
If there is a budget, then there will be more lawyers and judges. The "toilet-like" courtrooms will also be improved, he noted
"Saan ka nakakita ng korte parang nasa toilet lang kayo. Eh ang liit liit, doon ka nag-hehearing. Ang judge nga pwede mo pang kalabitin eh (Where can you see a courtroom that is like a toilet? It's so small, yet you conduct hearings there. You can even tap the judge)," he said.
"Kulang tayo sa mga abogado...budget talaga palagi (We're short on lawyers. We're always in need of budget)," he added.
If elected president, Pacquiao wants to "triple" the allocated budget for the judiciary.
"Kung naghahanap tayo ng magandang hustisya, kailangang dagdagdan pa natin (If we're looking for improved justice, we need to add more budget)," he said.
"The more na tumatagal ang kaso, the more na negosasyon... 'Yan ang reality (The longer the case is heard, the more the negotiation. That's the reality)," he added.