Manila: Sen. Francis Pangilinan on Wednesday opened the Senate’s deliberations on the proposed 2026 Judiciary budget, stressing the need to modernize courts, expand legal aid, and ensure faster case resolution across the justice system. Pangilinan, vice chair of Finance Subcommittee J, sponsored the proposed PHP67.77-billion allocation, which covers the Supreme Court and lower courts, Presidential Electoral Tribunal, Sandiganbayan, Court of Appeals, and Court of Tax Appeals.
According to Philippines News Agency, Pangilinan said the allocation must directly address long-standing issues such as case backlogs, slow case disposition, and lack of personnel. “Ang layunin natin ay siguraduhin na sapat ang pondong ibibigay pero tiyaking may malinaw na resulta at epekto sa pagresolba ng mga kaso sa lalong madaling panahon (Our goal is to ensure adequate funding while guaranteeing clear results in resolving cases as soon as possible),” he said.
He noted that while good governance is shared across government, a major part of this responsibility rests on the Judiciary. Pangilinan said the committee strengthened specific items that directly improve access to justice. The appropriation for the Office of the Judiciary Marshals was increased by PHP160 million to support a phased rollout mandated under Republic Act 11691 and ensure the protection of judges, personnel, and court assets.
The Unified Legal Aid Service Office received an additional PHP39 million to expand legal counseling, representation, and public legal education, especially for the poor. Funding for the Justice Sector Convergence Program will allow nationwide e-filing and e-service, digital warrants, subpoenas, and orders, and integration with the Department of Justice, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and other agencies through the National Justice Information System.
“Kasi kung wala ito, mananatiling analog ang hustisya samantalang digital speed naman ang takbo ng krimen at korapsyon (Without this, justice will remain analog while crime and corruption move at digital speed),” Pangilinan said. The budget also supports the Judiciary’s Filipino Sign Language in courts program, which will fund training, accreditation, and interpretation services. He said these ensure that persons with communication disabilities receive due process.
‘These are meaningful investments to strengthen the justice system. Hindi luho ang mga nasabing budget item (These budget items are not luxuries),” he said. Meanwhile, Sen. Erwin Tulfo asked for an update on the Justice on Wheels program, recalling its earlier deployments. Pangilinan replied that the initiative had evolved into a digital system that delivers services nationwide, explaining how technology now makes the courts more accessible.
