The failure of Philippine trial courts to deliver justice swiftly contributed to extra-judicial killings and Filipinos exacting revenge through “street justice,” Vice President Sara Duterte said, stressing the need for “speedy justice.”

Vice President Sara Duterte speaks at the 30th Pearl Anniversary celebration of the Philippine Trial Judges League Inc. In Cebu City (Inday Sara Duterte/Facebook)

In a speech delivered during the Supreme Court of the Philippines - Philippine Trial Judges League Inc.’s 30th Pearl Anniversary in Cebu City on Thursday, Oct. 12, the official asked trial court judges “to be catalysts for change by ensuring that cases are presided over in a timely and impartial manner.”

“It is thus our duty to rise to this challenge and address it head-on. We must strive to ensure that justice is not only served, but is served swiftly,” she said.

“We must work together to expedite the resolution of cases and restore faith in our justice system. By doing so, we can help prevent the rise of summary executions and the dangerous thirst for street justice,” Duterte added.

Quoting the adage “justice delayed is justice denied,” she highlighted how the trust of Filipinos on the justice system “diminishes” every day that a case remains unresolved.

In commemorating the “remarkable milestone” of their 30th anniversary, the Vice President asked trial court judges to reflect on the challenge of the failure of speedy administration of justice.

“The consequences of this failure are far-reaching and profound. It contributes to extra-judicial killings, the thirst for instant justice, and the dangerous trend of individuals taking matters into their own hands,” she said.

When citizens get tired of waiting for their cases to be resolved, Duterte lamented how they get “disillusioned with the justice system.”

“They become desperate for resolution, for closure, and for retribution. This desperation, born out of a lack of timely justice, can manifest in dangerous ways. It can lead to a breakdown of trust in our institutions and the erosion of the very fabric of our society,” she said.

But this “thirst for instant justice” can be “quenched by the fair and impartial resolution of cases.”

“As we move forward, let us embrace the challenges that lie ahead with renewed determination and resolve. Together, we can build a future where the rule of law reigns supreme,” Duterte said.