INNOVATIVE SUPREME COURT PROGRAMS

INNOVATIVE SUPREME COURT PROGRAMS Although there is supposed to be a strict separation of powers between the Judicial Branch and the Executive Branch, it does not hurt to have a healthy cooperation between the two branches, if it is for the good of society in general, and especially if it is for humanitarian reasons. I can only cite three examples because these are the only ones that I know about, but my readers are welcome to add more information if you have more examples. When I was the Director General and Undersecretary of the National Computer Center (NCC), I implemented the National Crime Information System (NCIS), a project that involved several agencies of the Executive Branch, including PNP, BJMP, NBI, DILG, DOJ and BUCOR, among many others. Since the project was designed to be a joint cooperation between and among the five pillars of justice, it was necessary to include the Supreme Court. As far as I can recall, there was a certain unwillingness on the part of the Supreme Court to accept my invitation to join, but fortunately, the Honorable Hilario G. Davide, Jr. who was the Chief Justice at that time, saw the wisdom of joining the project, after some gentle convincing by President Joseph E. Estrada, who was the Chief Executive at that time. To cut a long story short, there was no damage to the separation of powers, and instead, the flow of justice was improved for the benefit of everyone. In December 2008, the Supreme Court issued a Writ of Continuing Mandamus, ordering 13 agencies of the Executive Branch to clean up, rehabilitate and restore Manila Bay. It was a landmark decision at that time, and as far as I can recall, no other Supreme Court in any country has issued such a Mandamus. Although it seems to be a work in progress, that decision was very helpful to the environment in general. Early this year, the Supreme Court directed judges to conduct jail visits at least once before May 31, 2024, to check the conditions of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) in the light of the high temperatures scorching the country. I believe that was a very noble move, and I hope that the Supreme Court will continue to do that, to always check on the conditions of PDLs from time to time, not only during heat waves. IKE SENERES/07-15-2024