Seminar on barangay justice system held

Caloocan City Councilor Ricojudge "RJ" Echiverri recently led the first-ever study and orientation seminar on the barangay justice system in the city.

Echiverri, Liga ng mga Barangay president, said the seminar is aimed at reducing the number of cases that reach the courts and ensuring the legality of the barangay justice system implemented in every barangay in the city.

The barangay justice system is also intended to mediate between conflicting parties at the barangay level so there would be no need to bring a case to court.

In a study conducted by the Supreme Court, 815,823 cases were filed in court all over the country in 2002 – a large percentage of which could have been resolved or at least heard at the barangay level.

Echiverri said the sheer number of cases being filed in court is the primary reason for the delay in the resolution of cases.

He also said the implementation of the barangay justice system can be considered successful if all cases have been heard first at this level, if all lupon members perform their duty, and if all barangays in the city have lupon members.