Palace pleased with PHL’s improved ranking in int’l rule of law index

(Eagle News)—The Palace on Saturday, March 2, welcomed the Philippines’ improved ranking in the World Justice Project’s 2019 rule of law index.

“The Duterte administration has been tirelessly working on these since Day One and we are pleased of the Philippines’ improved global rank in 2019 (from 88 out of 113 countries in 2017-2018 to 90 out of 126 countries in 2018-2019) as a result of our initiatives. We will not rest and continue exerting efforts on this aspect,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

According to Panelo, the WJP’s criteria to determine effective  rule  of law–“reducing corruption, combating poverty and disease and protecting people from injustice large and small”– are “all embodied in the Duterte administration’s Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 with the following strategic outcomes: enhancing the social fabric; inequality-reducing transformation and increasing growth potential.”

He said, however, that the executive branch “cannot do it alone.”

“The four universal principles of the World Justice Project rule of law framework, which include accountability, just laws, open government, and accessible and impartial dispute resolution require the support of all branches of the government,” Panelo said.

He said for instance, “we need the support of Congress for the enactment of laws under just laws and open government..”

As for the judicial branch, Panelo said it was crucial for the “timely delivery of justice under accessible and impartial dispute resolution.”

The Philippines ranked 90th out of 126 countries in the 2019 index, a better ranking from the 88th place it garnered out of 113 countries from 2017 to 2018.