Paperless, CJ said

A few weeks ago, the President of the Philippines swore into public duty the new Chief Justice. One who said to expect a more tech-savvy supreme court.

She is Maria Lourdes Aranal Sereno and her appointment is no shocker.

She graduated as valedictorian at the University of the Philippines (UP) School of Law in 1984. She then proceeded for a master’s degree at UP School of Economics with Master of Arts in Economics. Not only that, she completed another master’s degree at the University of Michigan with Master of Laws.

Sereno is the first lady Chief Justice and the youngest ever appointed. She is also brave enough to have her SALN disclosed, a move made to regain the trust of the people in the judiciary.

The environment is also her concern as she wants a paperless court. “We have to do our share in minimizing the amount of trees cut down due to more paper demand,” she said.

Noting that the Philippines is flood prone and frequently visited by typhoons, less paper would mean more trees to act on rain water. It is also to save the documents of the Supreme Court when it will be (knock on wood) flooded, sooner or later.

This move would mean a digitalized system for all the documents of the judiciary.

All necessary documents vital to the operation of the judiciary would be accessed via a computing device. No more issues on paper. This cuts off the heap of book-like cases sitting on their desks day after day waiting to be decided on.

Although she is right with her environmental concern, this type of system may also flop.

If we think of it, there is no system yet. We are lucky enough to have our Department of Science and Technology scholars study the sciences and help the country. Many of the students are on information technology programs. Yet, how sure can we be that their careers would be in line with their course if they are not even guaranteed a job after graduation? Who makes the system, another import perhaps?

Nowadays, people who want to get what they want, get it no matter what. When the system changes, it becomes more vulnerable to unrestricted access and even to viruses which may corrupt the whole system. The files may bid a goodbye.

A public office takes care of the welfare of the people. Some of its information may be classified as confidential. A leak or two may destroy what they have been trying to regain – the trust of the people. Well, there may be exceptional cases when pegged with a very good security feature.

Lastly, it is not healthy. Looking the computer screen all day trying to decide on whether or not to accuse or acquit a person is a tough job. This does not only concern the eyes but the muscles as well. Studies show that people who sit in front of the computer for how many hours tend to be prone to illnesses and muscle pain. We wouldn’t want our justices and the new chief justice in pain.

For some there is hope for this type of change. According to Agusan del Sur Vice Governor Santiago Cane Jr., “paperless courts is very doable” who implemented this scheme in his local unit.

But whatever the verdict, the work to be done is huge.

It is now Sereno’s call to push through with her ideas and hopes for a new Supreme Court. If this move deems to be successful disregarding the factors stated above, then it is job well done. But then again, what happens to those in the bottom of the hierarchy in the judiciary?

Send your blessings down, please.