MARAWI CITY (PIA) — Key stakeholders from various sectors of the criminal justice system in Lanao del Sur recently gathered for a conference organized by the Provincial Legal Services Office to discuss critical issues and explore collaborative solutions aimed at improving the efficiency of the justice system in Lanao del Sur.
The forum, which brought together law enforcement, legal practitioners, government agencies, and community representatives, focused on enhancing coordination and communication across the five pillars of the criminal justice system: law enforcement, prosecution, judiciary, corrections, and the community.
Judge Sittie Laarni Umpa of the Regional Trial Court Branch 9 emphasized the need for a unified approach to tackling the challenges faced by the justice system.
“For the five pillars of the criminal justice system to work properly, there should be coordination, communication, and working together of the different agencies in the five pillars of the criminal justice system. So this seminar-workshop is very significant because it allows everyone to exchange ideas and find solutions to challenges we encounter in doing our jobs,” she said.
Umpa also highlighted the Supreme Court’s ongoing initiatives under the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI), which aims to enhance judicial transparency and efficiency nationwide. As part of this effort, the Supreme Court creates justice zones in key areas of the country to ensure better service delivery and more effective judicial processes.
Provincial Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr., in a message read by Board Member Ansari Gandrama, reiterated the province’s commitment to improving the justice system.
“We recognize the need to continually improve our justice system. Strengthening legal awareness and public confidence is crucial to ensuring that our judicial institutions operate in a neutral, efficient, and professional manner,” Adiong stated.
Lawyer Faisal Cali, head of the Provincial Legal Services Office, underscored the importance of addressing the challenges on the ground, emphasizing that issues faced are more felt by those in enforcement, the courts, and the communities themselves.
“We cannot solve issues and concerns alone because criminal justice is a system. We have to move forward together, not as an independent organization,” he explained.
A key topic discussed during the forum was the amicable settlement of rido (family feuds). The group also reviewed a proposed ordinance to improve the justice system, particularly in resolving rido cases and fostering peace-building initiatives within the province. (APB/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)