Creating the Supreme Court Technical Working Group on Case Decongestion and Delay Reduction

January 18, 2016

SUPREME COURT MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 05-2016

CREATING THE SUPREME COURT TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP ON CASE DECONGESTION AND DELAY REDUCTION

WHEREAS, the Supreme Court is mandated under Article VIII, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution to decide or resolve cases "within twenty-four months from date of submission" of the "last pleading, brief, or memorandum required by the Rules of Court or by the court itself";

WHEREAS, the recent influx of case filings in the Supreme Court creates the need to review and assess existing systems and procedures in the adjudication of cases to ensure its responsiveness to the current situation;

WHEREAS, to streamline current systems and procedures relative to the adjudication of cases, there is a need to create a technical working group to evaluate existing mechanisms and recommend improvements thereon to improve the Court's caseload and reduce case backlogs.

NOW THEREFORE, the Supreme Court Technical Working Group on Case Decongestion and Delay Reduction is hereby created and constituted as follows:

Chairperson:	Atty. Anna-Li R. Papa-Gombio
	Deputy Clerk of Court
Vice-Chairperson:	Deputy Clerk of Court and
	Chief Judicial Records Officer
Members:	Atty. Librada C. Buena
	Office of the Clerk of Court (OCC)-First Division
	Atty. Teresita A. Tuazon
	OCC-Second Division
	Representative of the Third Division designated by its Division Clerk of Court
	Atty. Czarina E. Samonte
	Judicial Staff Head
	Atty. Jilliane Joyce R. De Dumo
	Office of the Chief Justice
	Atty. Jocelyn T. Fabian
	Office of the Chief Justice
	Mr. Edilberto A. Davis
	Management Information Systems Office (MISO)
	Mr. Ricardo N. Lai, Jr.
	MISO
	Mr. Edwin Y. Mendoza
	Rollo Room
Resource Persons:	Atty. Felipa B. Anama
	Clerk of Court
	Atty. Edgar O. Aricheta
	Division Clerk of Court, First Division
	Atty. Ma. Lourdes C. Perfecto
	Division Clerk of Court, Second Division
	Atty. Wilfredo V. Lapitan
	Division Clerk of Court, Third Division
Secretary:	Atty. Sweet Ivy G. Espejo
	OCC-First Division
Assistant Secretary:	Atty. Jeniffer P. Sison
	Judicial Records Office

The Technical Working Group shall have the following functions and duties:

(1) Assist the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice fulfill their constitutional duties under the Constitution, specifically under Article VIII, Section 15 thereof which sets the time limit for resolving cases;

(2) Reexamine current systems and procedures, propose improvements thereto, and recommend mechanisms to improve the Court's caseload and reduce case backlogs; CAIHTE

(3) Cause the preparation of all relevant periodical reports;

(4) Propose an appropriate case management system, using information and communication technology, that will help the Members of the Court track cases from completion stage until final disposition, including a bar coding system or the like, in coordination with the Committee on Computerization and Library;

(5) Recommend performance targets in the adjudication of cases;

(6) Oversee the inventory of all rollos and propose mechanisms to ensure the preservation of its integrity;

(7) Monitor compliance with existing rules and practices designed to solve unnecessary delays in the dispensation of justice, including but not limited to preparation and approval of the minutes of Court sessions, and the rendition of decisions, resolutions and orders;

(8) Develop a multi-year workplan that shall incorporate the functions and duties herein listed and such other relevant programs, projects and activities (PPA), to be submitted to the Chief Justice within one (1) month from the creation of the Committee. The work plan shall include description of each PPA, its expected outcome or output, budget requirements, and focal persons; and

(9) Perform such functions as may be directed by the Chief Justice or by the Court and those that are inherent, incidental or essential to the accomplishment of its above duties and objectives.

The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Members and Members of the Secretariat of the Technical Working Group shall receive the usual expense allowances.

This Memorandum Order shall take effect upon its issuance this18th day of January 2016.

(SGD.) MARIA LOURDES P.A. SERENOChief Justice

(SGD.) ANTONIO T. CARPIOSenior Associate Justice

(SGD.) PRESBITERO J. VELASCO, JR.Associate Justice