SINGAPORE, 26 March 2026 – Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, the 182nd Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, delivered the 2026 Jones Day–CALS Professorial Lecture on the Rule of Law at the National University of Singapore (NUS) yesterday, 25 March 2026.

In her lecture, “Safeguarding Judicial Independence: Strengthening the Rule of Law in the Philippines and Beyond,” Justice Lazaro-Javier underscored that an independent judiciary is central to protecting rights, sustaining public trust, and ensuring that justice is accessible to all, particularly the most vulnerable.

At the heart of her presentation was the Philippine judiciary’s reform agenda under the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI) 2022–2027, a roadmap anchored on efficiency, innovation, and access. Designed to address longstanding challenges such as heavy caseloads, resource constraints, and geographic barriers, the SPJI reflects a deliberate shift toward a more responsive, transparent, and people-centered justice system.

A key pillar of these reforms is the accelerated digital transformation of the courts. The rollout of e-filing, expanded e-court systems, and the use of artificial intelligence to support legal research and transcription are streamlining case management and reducing delays. These efforts form part of a broader vision of a modern, paperless judiciary that enhances both efficiency and transparency.

Equally central is the commitment to making justice more accessible across the Philippines’ archipelagic landscape. Through initiatives such as mobile courts or “Justice on Wheels,” expanded remote hearings via video conferencing, and strengthened legal aid programs, the judiciary is bringing legal services closer to underserved communities and lowering barriers to justice.

A defining feature of these reforms is the judiciary’s strong gender and development agenda. Justice Lazaro-Javier highlighted efforts to promote gender sensitivity, inclusivity, and greater representation of women within the courts, underscoring that a more representative judiciary strengthens both legitimacy and public confidence.

In closing, Justice Lazaro-Javier emphasized that judicial power is ultimately exercised as a duty in service of the people. A judiciary that is independent, innovative, and inclusive, she noted, is essential to ensuring that the rule of law remains meaningful in people’s everyday lives.

The lecture was held during National Women’s Month, which further underscores the themes of inclusion and empowerment alongside innovation and the rule of law.

The Philippine Embassy, as a foreign arm of the Philippine Executive Branch, fully supports the Judiciary’s ongoing efforts to ensure that justice remains accessible to all. Through engagements in Singapore and the wider region, the Embassy and the Department of Foreign Affairs stand ready to advance bilateral, regional and international collaboration that complements the Philippine Supreme Court’s reform agenda and strengthens the rule of law across borders.

For more information on the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI) 2022–2027, the public may visit https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/spji/. (END)