U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava meets with Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo to discuss judicial reforms and support efforts to improve access to justice. Photo from the US Embassy in Manila
MANILA, Philippines – The United States Embassy in Manila handed over P4.2 million worth of equipment to the Philippine Supreme Court (SC) to support the latter’s videoconferencing needs.
In a statement Friday, the embassy said the US State Department’s Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) donated the equipment, which included nine units of videoconferencing tools, nine 55-inch televisions, a professional high-bright teleprompter, and other accessories.
“This equipment will be used by the Supreme Court—and distributed to several lower courts—to support videoconferencing of hearings and to mitigate risks associated with in-person engagements during the pandemic,” the embassy said.
“The donation also includes the Training Registration and Management System, a browser-based data collection system specially programmed and designed to help the Philippine Judicial Academy manage the information and data gathered for seminars it conducts,” it added.
We support the Philippine Supreme Court’s initiatives to improve access to justice in the Philippines through the donation of nearly Php4.2 million worth of videoconferencing equipment. #FriendsPartnersAllies @SCPh_PIO https://t.co/Gs6TNDAnrl
— U.S. Embassy in the Philippines (@USEmbassyPH) February 18, 2022
The donated equipment were turned over by ad interim Chargé d’Affaires (CDA) Heather Variava on Thursday, during which she spoke with SC Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and discussed judicial reforms.
Gesmundo, according to the embassy, expressed gratitude during his discussion with Variava, saying the donated equipment “will contribute to our collective commitment in expanding the public’s access to justice through technology.”
“Technology is key to improving access to justice, increasing transparency, and protecting the rights of all people. The US is proud to support these efforts and looks forward to future collaboration,” Variava, for her part, said. With Jericho Zafra, INQUIRER.net trainee
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