*MANILA, Philippines — September 21, 2026* — The Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC) convened its *2026 Summit today, September 21, 2026, at The Manila Hotel*, celebrating *5 Years of Delivering Justice Real Time* — a milestone that has transformed how justice is accessed and delivered in the Philippines.
With the theme *"Five Years of Reforms, One Vision: Justice in Real Time,"* the summit gathered the *Supreme Court led by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, the Department of the Interior and Local Government led by Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Hon. Maria Filomena D. Singh Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the Philippines and Chairperson, JSCC TWG on Processes and Capacity Building, Mr. Peter Adams Counselor for Development Embassy of Australia in the Philippines, Mr. Siavash Lahbati Country Manager, International Development Law Organization (IDLO) and Team Leader, EU-GoJust Programme III together with judges, prosecutors, public attorneys, law enforcers, jail officers, local government leaders, partners, and civil society.
*From MOA to Movement*
The JSCC was formally established through a Memorandum of Agreement in 2010 but was revitalized in 2020 at the height of the pandemic. What started as an emergency coordination mechanism to decongest jails and allow virtual hearings has become the central reform platform of the Philippine justice system.
In his opening message, *Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo* said:
> "Five years ago, we promised justice in real time — not justice delayed. Today at The Manila Hotel, we can say we delivered. We brought the courts closer to the people, we brought data into decision-making, and we brought institutions together. But the work is far from done."
*5-Year Highlights Presented at the Summit:*
*1. Decongestion and Jail Reforms:*
From 2021 to 2026, JSCC's coordinated efforts reduced jail congestion from 364% to under 180% nationwide through improved bail processes, release orders via video conferencing, and institutionalization of the *BJMP-DOJ-PAO-PNP Joint Referral System*.
*2. E-Courts and Virtual Justice:*
Over 3,500 courts are now equipped for videoconferencing hearings. As of August 2026, more than 1.2 million hearings have been conducted virtually, cutting the average case disposition time by 40%.
*3. Justice Zones:*
From 12 justice zones in 2020 to *32 operational justice zones today*, including new zones in BARMM, Bicol, and Eastern Visayas. Justice Zones allow LGUs, police, prosecutors, and courts to work as one unit — eliminating the classic "turfing" that delays cases.
*4. Evidence-Based Policymaking:*
The *Justice Sector Data Dashboard*, launched in 2023 with support from the EU-GOJUST and USAID, is now live — tracking case aging, jail population, warrant execution, and conviction rates in real time.
DILG Secretary *Jonvic Remulla* added that police and LGU coordination has been key: "When the PNP, BJMP, and LGUs move together, justice moves faster. That is real-time justice on the ground.
The JSCC Summit proceedings were livestreamed via the Supreme Court and DILG official Facebook pages.
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