As the country welcomes a change of leadership, different bodies have promised to improve the country’s justice system. What should the people look forward to and keep an eye on?

Photo from Inquirer.net

LEILA M. DE LIMA
SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (DOJ)

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:

AB History, De La Salle University
Bachelor of Laws, San Beda College

WORK EXPERIENCE

De Lima chaired the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) before being appointed as justice secretary.

ISSUES & PLANS

With a plethora of legal issues mounting her office table, de Lima has a two-fold justice improvement scheme: implementing more rigorous training for prosecutors and fulfilling the demands of the citizens for accountability and transparency.

In his inaugural speech, President Noynoy Aquino gave de Lima marching orders to bringing real justice across the nation.

In a plenary in Ateneo, de Lima, a human rights advocate, says that the protection of human rights would always be close to her heart.

When asked about de Lima’s promises, DOJ Assistant Secretary Geronimo Sy asserts that, “the Secretary promised that she will not be under anyone’s influence, cases are resolved under the law and [verdicts are] based on what is fair.”

Photo from istorya.net

MA. MERCEDITAS N. GUTIERREZ
OMBUDSMAN

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

BA Education, College of the Holy Spirit
Bachelor of Laws, Ateneo de Manila Law School

WORK EXPERIENCE

Before being appointed as Ombudsman in 2005, Gutierrez was the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel.

ISSUES & PLANS

Other than prosecuting government officials accused of corruption, the Ombudsman conducts values campaign and seminars to instill a sense of morality in the youth.

However, even with these public campaigns, Gutierrez, known for her ties with former President Gloria Arroyo, remains to be a dark figure. She faces impeachment complaints coupled with her office’s low conviction rate. This year, the Ombudsman has acquitted 78 individuals out of 98 cases.

Lourdes Estonato, Associate Graft Investigation Officer vindicates Gutierrez and cites that she has filed cases against administration bodies like the Government Service Insurance System and then-DOJ Secretary Hernando Perez.

“He [Noynoy Aquino] can’t remove her,” Estonato said in Filipino.

ATTY. JACQUELINE MEJIA
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS (CHR)

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

AB Economics, University of the Philippines
Bachelor of Laws, UP College of Law

WORK EXPERIENCE

Before working for the Commission on Human Rights, Mejia worked at the Board of Pardons and Parole under the DOJ.

ISSUES & PLANS

Handling the primary government body for ensuring justice for victims of human rights violations, Mejia plans to improve the commission’s investigation processes by educating the public about their human rights.

Mejia says that they are also pushing for the training of judges and law enforcers like the police on basic human rights concepts and standards.

CHR, as an independent body mandated by the Constitution, is committed to monitoring, evaluating and advocating human rights issues including racial discrimination, torture, and the rights of children, the disabled and migrant workers.

However, Mejia points out that CHR lacks judicial power. “The challenge that we face is that we are not a prosecuting agency. We’re only a fact-finding body.”